By Nick Ibe, Abuja

Benjamin Kalu,
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has revealed how he met with the Director-General of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi and his team.

The politician from Abia state narrated how he met with Adeyemi in his office after receiving what appeared to be an official letter bearing the Presidency’s insignia.

Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary in support of a motion seeking an investigation into the activities of the alleged council, Kalu said he was among those deceived by the group’s claims of legitimacy. He said:

“I rise this morning to support the motion that has been properly moved by my friend and brother from Plateau State. It is quite embarrassing that people have the kind of boldness exhibited, moving around with what is not in existence, carrying themselves as if they are a legal entity.”

Kalu added that his office received a letter dated May 2, 2025, on a letterhead bearing the Presidency and identifying the sender as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, PEAC, and the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC.

“On the 2nd of May, 2025, my office got a letter. That letter had the Presidency on top of the letterhead. It had the Office of the Director-General, the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. Two councils under one DG,” he said.

According to him, although some aspects of the letter raised doubts, it contained what appeared to be authentic details, including an address at the Federal Secretariat Complex and a government website.

“When I saw this, I looked down at the letterhead. I saw the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase 3, 2nd Floor, Central Business District. I also saw the website, pfipc.gov.ng. It was a bit confusing for me. Some of the information looked credible, some did not,” Kalu stated.

The deputy speaker stated that he directed members of his team to verify the office address before approving a meeting with the group.

“I sent my team to go and verify the existence of this organisation at the said address. They came back confirming that this organisation was in the said location. I then gave approval for them to come and have the interaction they had written for,” he said.

Kalu explained that the visitors had requested a meeting to discuss constitutional amendment, economic governance, legislative priorities and collaboration on foreign investment, but the discussion took a different direction.

“They said they wanted to discuss the 10th House of Representatives Constitution Amendment process and its implications for economic governance, legislative priorities that can enhance investor confidence, and areas of collaboration between the National Assembly and the Council to drive foreign investment,” he said.

However, he added, “When they came and started engaging, the issues they mentioned in the letter were not what they engaged on. They did not talk about the Constitution that we were amending. They were more about photo taking.”

The Deputy Speaker said the experience underscored the need for stricter verification of organisations claiming government affiliation.

“This goes on to show that a beautiful letterhead that has the Presidency is no longer confirmation that an agency is legal. It goes to show that an address that shows Federal Secretariat does not mean that that particular agency is legal,” he said.

He urged lawmakers to support the motion and conduct a thorough investigation into how the alleged council operated.

“It is our duty, based on Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, to dig deeper into this matter. I urge members to support this motion for the House to show Nigerians that we are in support of transparency and accountability in governance,” Kalu added.

Reports show that the council’s appearance as one of the beneficiaries in the 2026 Appropriation Act sparked nationwide controversy despite the Presidency insisting that no such agency exists under the Federal Government.

As public outrage intensified over the agency’s inclusion in the federal budget, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate how the council was inserted into the 2026 Appropriation Act despite not being recognised by the Federal Government.

The President also ordered that everyone found culpable in the alleged budget insertion be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

While the outcome of that probe is being awaited, what is clear is the porous nature of the government system that had been invaded at the highest levels without detection: opening bank accounts with the CBN and about 34 commercial banks.

What is clear is that not all may have come out to the public domain about the activities of Adeyemi, who was reportedly arrested in 2025 but wriggled himself out to continue with his illegal activities well into 2026 before the hunt for him again.

By Michael Lim

Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), Minister of Defence, on Wednesday directed security personnel engaged in counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations not to hesitate in confronting armed criminals, warning that any operative who fails to act under the guise of awaiting orders would be treated as aiding the enemy.

While commissioning the security assets procured by the Sokoto State Government, the minister stressed that troops must take decisive action against terrorists and bandits whenever the situation demands.

“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” he advised.

“Anybody who refuses to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit. This is a general order.”

The minister gave the directive as the Sokoto State Government unveiled a N27.6 billion security intervention package comprising armoured personnel carriers, tactical vehicles and 300 motorcycles to strengthen security operations across the state.

The equipment was commissioned at the Giginya Memorial Stadium by the defence minister in the presence of senior military officers, security chiefs, traditional rulers, government officials and residents.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu while presenting the procurement said it is one of the state’s largest security investments, aimed at supporting the operational capacity of security agencies in tackling banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The intervention, according to him, forms part of his administration’s broader strategy to restore peace and protect lives and property, particularly in border communities and rural areas affected by insecurity.

He noted that security remains the foundation for sustainable development, adding that economic growth, agriculture and social progress cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and instability.

Aliyu said the newly acquired armoured vehicles and motorcycles would improve rapid response, intelligence gathering, surveillance and troop mobility, especially in difficult terrains.

He appreciated President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their continued support in combating insecurity, pledging that the state would sustain investments that complement federal security efforts.

He further commended Gen. Musa for his leadership and commitment to the fight against terrorism and banditry. In recognition of his contributions to national security, Aliyu inaugurated a major road in the Sokoto metropolis and named it General Christopher Musa Road.

Gen. Musa, in his response, praised the Sokoto State Government for prioritising security, describing the investment as a demonstration of visionary leadership and commitment to public safety.

He added that the fight against insecurity requires collaboration among the federal, state and local governments, as well as active support from citizens.

The defence minister noted that the newly commissioned assets would enhance operational effectiveness and boost the morale of security personnel deployed across Sokoto State and the wider North-West region.

The minister chsrged residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that community participation remains vital to addressing emerging security threats.

Musa assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain committed to eliminating criminal elements and restoring lasting peace across the country.

The ceremony ended with the inspection and symbolic handover of the security assets to relevant security agencies, with participants describing the intervention as a major boost to Sokoto State’s security architecture and the national campaign against insecurity

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its effort to arrest Adeniyi Adeyemi, the purported Director-General of the disowned Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

According to a police source, a team of officers dispatched from Abuja called at the home of Adeyemi’s parents in Ogbomoso last Wednesday and again on Monday, this week.

The source reportedly said Adeyemi’s parents told the police that he spent Monday and Tuesday in his hometown before leaving for Abuja on Wednesday. According to the source, the officers arrived a few hours after Adeyemi had left.

The officers who visited the family home last Wednesday briefly confiscated the parents’ phones.

In the hunt for the suspect, Oyo State Police Command has however clarified that it is not handling the investigation stating that the matter is being investigated by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The command said the case is of national interest and falls outside its jurisdiction.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, made the clarification while responding to enquiries about the alleged arrest of the father of Adeyemi Adeniyi, the purported Director-General of the council, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Ayanlade urged journalists and members of the public seeking updates on the matter to direct their enquiries to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Relatedly, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections has condemned the arrest of Adeyemi’s father, saying it’s an abuse of power.

In the X post by his media aide, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President described the arrest as an abuse of power.

Atiku said there is no provision in Nigerian law for substituted arrest, questioning the offence allegedly committed by Adeyemi’s father in relation to the controversy.

“It is an overreach, an abuse of power. Why did they allow Prince Adeyemi to sneak away and are now flexing their powers by arresting the father in his stead?” he asked.

He accused the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of focusing on minor issues while ignoring more important ones, and demanded the immediate release of the man.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, had on Monday alleged that police operatives arrested the father of Adeyemi, the central figure in the ongoing forgery investigation.
linked to the purported council.

Meanwhile, a South-West socio-cultural group, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, has faulted the N10 billion defamation suit instituted by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linked to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing the action as a pre-emptive move aimed at frustrating an independent investigation.

In a statement signed by its President, Akin Malaolu, the forum said: “Following the disturbing allegations of bribery and kickbacks levelled against Gbajabiamila, and the government’s avowed commitment to establishing the truth, we are shocked that the Chief of Staff has chosen to threaten defamation suits rather than cooperate fully with efforts to get to the bottom of the matter.”

The forum said it was not opposed to any citizen, including Gbajabiamila, seeking legal redress. However, it questioned the basis of the suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of the PFIPC.

“We fail to see how a defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi can be sustained when security agents have arrested his father in Ogbomoso, Adeyemi himself has been arraigned by the government, and Gbajabiamila continues to feign ignorance of the ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS),” the statement said.

The group also criticised the Presidency, alleging that it appeared to be shielding the Chief of Staff from stepping aside to face both the civil suit and the criminal investigations.

“We must sound a clear warning: shielding an accused member of the Presidency is dangerous in the eyes of Nigerians and the Yoruba race.

“As leaders of thought in the South-West, we view any attempt to protect Gbajabiamila from resigning as a stain on the Yoruba race and on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The criminal allegations in question are not matters any responsible government should condone. On the issue of Femi Gbajabiamila’s resignation, we stand firm,” the forum stated.

Gbajabiamila has given Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi 72 hours to retract the alleged defamatory claims made against him during a press conference on June 25, 2026, or face civil and criminal legal action.

The ultimatum was issued through Gbajabiamila’s legal counsel, Pinheiro LP, in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro.

The letter described Adeyemi’s allegations as false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation.

The letter warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would trigger both civil and criminal proceedings.

According to the law firm, the civil suit would seek N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages to be paid to charities of Gbajabiamila’s choice, a perpetual injunction against further publications, and a court order compelling a retraction and apology.

Furthermore, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has faulted the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation over its alleged failure to detect and stop documents relating to the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the Presidency has described as a non-existent agency.

Lawal said the SGF’s office should have identified the alleged fake agency long before its documents reached President Bola Tinubu, arguing that proper due diligence would have exposed the irregularity at an early stage.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Lawal reacted to the controversy surrounding the PFIPC following allegations linking its promoter, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to bribery involving senior government officials.

According to the former SGF, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation serves as the clearing-house for federal government agencies and is expected to verify the legal status of any institution seeking official recognition.

He argued that if the PFIPC was indeed not legally established, its documents should never have progressed through the government’s administrative process.

“If an agency is received, processed and forwarded without somebody in the SGF’s office asking exactly who these people are, then there is a dereliction of duty,” he said.

He explained that the SGF’s office keeps records of all legally recognised ministries, departments and agencies and should ordinarily confirm the existence of any organisation claiming federal status before forwarding its requests to the President.

Lawal further outlined the procedure for establishing federal agencies, noting that proposals are initiated by the President or a supervising minister, considered by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and, where necessary, backed by legislation before such agencies become legally recognised.

He maintained that these procedures make it difficult for a non-existent agency to gain official recognition unless there were serious institutional failures.

The former SGF also questioned how the alleged agency reportedly secured a government budget code and passed through the federal budgeting process despite claims that it had no legal backing.

Describing the development as evidence of institutional compromise, Lawal suggested that more individuals might have been involved in facilitating the process.

He noted that, every ministry, department and agency is required to defend its budget before the Budget Office of the Federation, making it unlikely that a non-existent organisation could obtain budgetary recognition without insider collaboration.

He also queried who approved the budget code for the alleged agency and how its proposal progressed through official channels before reaching the National Assembly.