Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent investigation into the alleged activities of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, describing the controversy as one that requires a transparent public probe.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku’s media office questioned the Presidency’s explanation that the PFIPC was a non-existent or “ghost” Federal Government agency.
The development followed a disclaimer by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who described Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and the organisation as fraudulent.
The statement raised several questions, including how the alleged agency reportedly operated from the Federal Secretariat under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without detection.
It also queried reports that the PFIPC allegedly secured a budget code and a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 national budget, calling for an independent forensic investigation into the matter.
According to the statement, Prince Adeyemi reportedly met with senior government officials, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, as well as diplomats, traditional rulers and prospective investors.
The Atiku Media Office argued that the alleged engagements suggest the organisation operated openly, making the Presidency’s description of it as a “ghost agency” difficult to reconcile with publicly available records.
The statement also called on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other officials allegedly linked to the controversy to publicly account for their roles, insisting that a press
