The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has taken a new twist after its promoter, Adeniyi Adeyemi, claimed that his problems with the Presidency began when he refused an alleged ₦12.5 billion demand from the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In a video circulating on social media, Adeyemi alleged that the dispute escalated after he declined to release the money.
“The crisis started when I refused his ₦12.5 billion demand,” Adeyemi said.
His latest allegation comes as the Federal Government continues to maintain that the PFIPC does not exist and was never established under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
On June 11, the Presidency, through Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, issued a disclaimer stating that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency. It also cautioned diplomatic missions, financial institutions and development partners against dealing with either Adeyemi or the organisation.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga later disclosed that concerns about the group first reached the Presidency in October 2025 after reports surfaced that it was operating alongside the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. According to him, investigations allegedly uncovered forged appointment letters bearing the Chief of Staff’s signature and official seals.
The Nigeria Police subsequently arraigned Adeyemi before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and the alleged production of fraudulent presidential documents. The case has been adjourned until July 27, 2026.
Adeyemi has consistently denied the allegations, insisting that the PFIPC is a legitimate government initiative known to senior government officials.
He had previously alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the council’s take-off grant, estimated at about ₦27.4 billion. He also claimed that ₦400 million was paid through intermediaries and that an additional ₦200 million was later requested. The Presidency has denied those allegations, and they have not been proven in court.
The controversy has also intensified after documents circulating publicly reportedly indicated that an entity identified as the “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” received a budget allocation of about ₦1.303 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The reported budget provision has sparked questions from opposition figures, lawyers and civil society groups, who are seeking clarification on how an organisation the Presidency describes as non-existent allegedly appeared in the national budget.
As of the time of this report, the Presidency had not publicly responded to Adeyemi’s latest allegation regarding the alleged ₦12.5 billion demand.
Adeyemi’s claims remain unproven, while the criminal charges against him are still before the court.
