The drama surrounding a fake Nigerian government agency has reached a dramatic turning point with the arrest of its alleged boss, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew. For weeks, he had been on the run, evading authorities despite a warrant being issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Matthew's capture in Nigeria's south-western Osun State follows a high-profile scandal sparked by President Bola Tinubu's corruption investigation into the fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The PFIPC was said to have been established to attract foreign investment to Nigeria, but all records point to it being a sham. Forensic analysis revealed that the signature of President Tinubu's chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on the appointment letter was forged, further casting doubt on the agency's legitimacy. Matthew had maintained his innocence throughout, citing safety concerns for his absence from court proceedings.
The PFIPC's activities have been extensively documented by local media, including its supposed office space within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and its listing in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an allocation of 1.3 billion naira (approximately £700,000). However, investigations have shown that the agency never actually operated accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria or received public funds.
Court documents reveal that Matthew is accused of using forged official documents to establish and operate the PFIPC, opening multiple bank accounts in its name, and seeking recognition for the non-existent entity. The scandal has sparked calls from civil society groups, opposition politicians, and senior legal figures across Nigeria for an independent inquiry.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains unclear how far up the chain of command this scam reached or what the ultimate cost will be to those implicated. One thing is certain: Nigerians are eager to see justice served and accountability restored in their government institutions.