Ghost Agency: Beyond The ICPC Probe -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

A fresh controversy has emerged last week over an alleged government agency known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The issue came to light after the Chief of Staff to the President, publicly denied that such agency exists.

Before this denial, the agency was reportedly operating under Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who claimed to be its Director-General since October 2025. However, matters took a different turn when Prince Adeyemi insisted that the agency is real and not a ghost organisation as alleged. He further alleged that he paid ₦400millions out of ₦600 million through a proxy linked to Gbajabiamila to secure his appointment. These claims have added a new layer of concern to the unfolding drama. Reacting to the development, the President’s Director of Media and Strategy, issued a statement distancing the Presidency from the agency. He described Prince Adeyemi as a fraudster and warned the public to disregard his claims.

In a swift response, Gbajabiamila has taken legal steps against Prince Adeyemi. Through his lawyers, he is demanding ₦10 billion in damages and an immediate apology for linking him to the alleged scandal. The controversy over the alleged “ghost agency” has continued to generate mixed reactions among Nigerians. Since the issue came to the public domain, several important questions have remained unanswered.

Many Nigerians are asking: How did Prince Adeyemi get his appointment letter? How did the agency secure an office in the Federal Secretariat? How did it recruit about 300 staff and open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)? How did it get budget line of 1.3 billions in 2026 budget? Even more surprising, how did it hold meetings with foreign partners? It was also reported that Prince Adeyemi was seen at the office of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The chairman of economic and financial commission (EFCC) ,Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede posted a picture presenting an award to Adeyemi.

The controversy surrounding the creation of a “phantom agency” has exposed the rot in our public service and the lack of accountability. This situation will erode public confidence, deepen corruption and damage the country’s global reputation. However, President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has directed the Independent Corrupt practices Commission (ICPC) to carry out a thorough investigation and identify those involved in the scandal within 30 days. Despite this directive, many pessimists doubt that anything meaningful will come out of the investigation. The reason is not far-fetched. Investigations in Nigeria that involve top government officials rarely lead to punishment. In the next 30 days, the ICPC will focus on the Office of the Chief of Staff to find out who issued the appointment letter to Prince Adeyemi. It will also investigate the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) over how office space was allocated. The CBN Governor will be questioned on how the agency opened its account, and the National Assembly will be asked to explain the ₦1.3 billion budget allocation.

While many Nigerians expected president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to constitute a judicial commission of inquiry to unravel this scandal, the (ICPC) must rise to the occasion and carry out a thorough, independent and transparent investigation. There must be no sacred cows. In the course of this probe, all those involved in this disgraceful act must be exposed and publicly named. Anything short of this will only deepen public distrust and reinforce the culture of impunity that has long plagued the system. The President must go beyond mere directives and ensure that the findings of the investigation are fully implemented. This is a defining moment for accountability. The outcome must not be buried or manipulated for political convenience. Unless those who aided and abetted this monumental fraud are decisively brought to justice and punished in accordance with the laws of land, the dangerous precedent will persist and more phantom agencies will continue to infiltrate and undermine the integrity of the public service.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State. 08169056963.