PFIPC Scandal Deepens: Accountant-General Contradicts Presidency Over Alleged CBN Account

PFIPC Scandal Deepens: Accountant-General Contradicts Presidency Over Alleged CBN Account

Fresh Twist in PFIPC Controversy as Accountant-General Rejects Presidency's Claim

The controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has taken another dramatic turn after the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) publicly contradicted an earlier statement from the Presidency regarding the council's alleged Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.

The latest development has fueled fresh debates over transparency, accountability, and possible irregularities within Nigeria's public administration.

OAGF: PFIPC Never Had an Operational CBN Account

Speaking on the matter, the Director of Public Relations at the OAGF, Bawa Mokwa, clarified that although an application was initiated to open a CBN account for the PFIPC, the process was never completed.

According to Mokwa, the required documentation—including the names of authorized signatories—was never submitted, making it impossible for the account to become active.

He emphasized that:

- The account was never operational.

- No government allocation was ever paid into the account.

- No public funds were released to the council.

- No salaries were paid to any PFIPC staff.

In his words, the account "never saw the light of day" because it was never fully activated.

Presidency Previously Claimed PFIPC Opened a CBN Account

The clarification directly contradicts an earlier statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who stated that investigations revealed Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the PFIPC, fraudulently opened a CBN account by misleading officials within the Office of the Accountant-General.

The Presidency, however, maintained that despite the alleged account opening, no government funds were transferred into it.

That statement was also used to clear the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of any involvement in the unfolding controversy.

Why No Salaries Were Paid

The Accountant-General's Office further dismissed reports suggesting that PFIPC workers had received government salaries.

Mokwa explained that federal agencies cannot recruit staff or process salary payments without obtaining approvals from key government institutions, including:

- The Federal Character Commission

- The Budget Office of the Federation

- The Federal Civil Service Commission

Only after these approvals can employees be enrolled on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

According to the OAGF, none of these statutory requirements was fulfilled by the PFIPC.

PFIPC Budget Allocation Sparks National Debate

The controversy intensified after the 2026 Appropriation Act listed the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council under the Presidency with an estimated ₦1.3 billion allocation covering personnel, overhead, and capital expenditure.

This revelation surprised many Nigerians because the Presidency had repeatedly insisted that the PFIPC never legally existed.

The apparent contradiction has raised serious questions about Nigeria's budgeting process and government oversight.

Forgery Allegations Against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi

According to the Presidency, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi is currently facing charges related to:

- Forgery

- Impersonation

- Fabrication of official government documents

Government officials alleged that the case surfaced after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) raised concerns in late 2025 that the PFIPC was performing functions similar to those legally assigned to the commission.

Investigators reportedly recovered several documents believed to have been forged during searches conducted after Adeyemi's arrest.

Growing Calls for an Independent Investigation

With conflicting accounts now emerging from the Presidency and the Office of the Accountant-General, public pressure continues to mount for an independent investigation.

Legal experts, civil society organizations, and opposition figures are demanding answers to several unresolved questions, including:

- Why was PFIPC included in the 2026 federal budget if it allegedly does not exist?

- Who approved the budget allocation?

- How did the council reportedly operate from the Federal Secretariat?

- Why did multiple government institutions interact with the council before it was disowned?

Many observers believe only a transparent investigation can restore public confidence and clarify the true status of the controversial council.

Conclusion

The PFIPC saga has evolved from a forgery investigation into a broader controversy over Nigeria's governance, budgeting, and institutional accountability. With the Accountant-General's Office now contradicting key aspects of the Presidency's earlier claims, Nigerians are demanding greater transparency and clear explanations regarding the council's legal status and the circumstances surrounding its appearance in the 2026 federal budget.

As investigations continue, the controversy is expected to remain a major topic in Nigeria's political and governance landscape.

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