Falana Demands Full Probe of PFIPC Scandal, Questions Presidency’s Explanation

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to provide a comprehensive and transparent explanation of the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), warning that the Presidency’s response has failed to address critical questions troubling Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Falana said the matter has exposed significant gaps in public accountability and raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s institutional processes.

According to him, the official statement issued by the Presidency does not adequately explain how an agency it now describes as non-existent allegedly operated within the structures of government.

“Unfortunately, I think there is more to this matter than meets the eye. Nigerians have not been given the full facts. The government must appreciate that they are dealing with civilised people, so the government must come out more clearly on this matter,” Falana said.

The senior lawyer questioned how an organisation allegedly lacking any legal foundation could reportedly find its way into the federal budget, operate from the Federal Secretariat, maintain accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and receive personnel deployments from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“How did an agency that is not created by law find its way into the Appropriation Act of Nigeria? How did that body get an office in the Federal Secretariat? How did that body successfully open accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria? How did the Head of Service post about 300 staff to that office?” he queried.

Falana argued that the controversy extends beyond the criminal prosecution of the alleged promoter of the council and requires explanations from several institutions involved in budgeting, administration and public finance.

He specifically questioned the role of the National Assembly, insisting that no agency unknown to law should appear in a federal appropriation document.

“You cannot have an agency that is not created by law in the budget of a country. You cannot put an agency that is unknown to law in the Appropriation Act,” he stated.

The SAN noted that under Section 81 of the Constitution, appropriation bills originate from the Executive arm of government before being transmitted to the legislature, making it necessary for both arms of government to explain how the alleged agency appeared in the 2026 budget.

Describing the Presidency’s response as inadequate, Falana said several unanswered questions remain regarding the alleged operations of the council.

“If this is a conman that can con the Presidency into issuing a letter of appointment, con the Central Bank into opening accounts, con the National Assembly into inserting the agency into the budget, I think the government is kidding,” he said.

Falana also called for an independent investigation into all aspects of the controversy, including allegations linking senior government officials to the matter.

He suggested that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, should temporarily step aside to enable a transparent inquiry.

“The government has a duty to ask Mr. Gbajabiamila to step aside to allow for a full investigation in the interest of the country and even in his own interest,” he said.

While supporting ongoing criminal proceedings against the alleged promoter of the council, Falana maintained that the courts alone cannot answer broader institutional questions raised by the scandal.

“The law must be allowed to take its course. But there are issues that are not going to come up in court. The court is not going to tell us who opened an account in the Central Bank. The court is not going to tell us who inserted the agency into the budget or why it was signed by the President,” he added.

He therefore urged the Federal Government to revisit the matter and conduct a wider investigation involving all relevant agencies and officials.

“The government will have to revisit the matter, go back to the drawing board and issue another statement that will be acceptable to Nigerians by assuring them that there is no cover-up in this matter,” Falana said.

The controversy began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President publicly disowned the PFIPC and its alleged Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, describing him as an impostor and insisting that no such council exists under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The matter escalated, however, when documents from the 2026 Appropriation Act surfaced, showing a budgetary allocation reportedly exceeding ₦1 billion for an entity listed as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

The revelation triggered widespread public debate over how an agency described by the Presidency as fictitious allegedly secured budgetary provisions for personnel, overhead and capital expenditure.

Further controversy emerged after Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s position, claiming the council operated from the Federal Secretariat, maintained accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and had personnel deployed to it through official government channels.

The issue has since attracted reactions from opposition politicians, civil society groups and governance advocates, with many demanding a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged council.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly called for an independent probe, while several civil society organisations have argued that the matter raises broader questions about oversight, accountability and institutional integrity within government.

As public scrutiny intensifies, Falana insists that only a comprehensive investigation involving all relevant institutions—not just the criminal prosecution of individuals—can resolve the lingering questions and restore public confidence.