The controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has entered a new phase as police prepare to arraign its self-proclaimed Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The development comes amid growing calls from civil society groups, lawmakers, religious leaders and political stakeholders for greater transparency, legislative oversight and an independent investigation into the matter.
According to court documents, Adeyemi and two others are scheduled to be arraigned on charges including alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences. The eight-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, was filed by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki.
The case, initially slated for hearing in June, was adjourned after Adeyemi was reported to be indisposed. Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently fixed a new date for the proceedings.
Court records show that the prosecution intends to call several witnesses, including Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside civil servants, law enforcement officers and other individuals allegedly connected to the case.
The prosecution is also expected to tender documentary evidence, including investigation reports, correspondence, witness statements and documents allegedly relating to the establishment and operations of the purported council.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), Wale Adeoye, has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations surrounding the PFIPC.
Adeoye said the anti-corruption agency must be allowed to operate independently and investigate all claims based strictly on evidence, regardless of the status of individuals mentioned in the controversy.
He argued that public confidence in anti-corruption institutions depends on their ability to pursue facts without political interference and called for deeper scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the purported council.
According to him, stronger oversight of government spending and institutions by anti-corruption agencies, lawmakers and the media could help identify irregularities before they evolve into major national controversies.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Lanre Odubote, defended Gbajabiamila against allegations linked to the controversy, describing the claims as unproven and urging the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
Odubote noted what he described as inconsistencies in some of the allegations and stressed that public opinion should not replace due process.
He maintained that the ICPC investigation remains the appropriate avenue for establishing the facts and determining whether any wrongdoing occurred.
Senator Kawu Sumaila has also defended his call for a Senate investigation into the PFIPC controversy after a motion he sponsored was rejected by the upper chamber.
According to the lawmaker, his primary concern relates to the inclusion of the purported agency in the national budget and whether proper legislative procedures were followed.
He argued that while the President has constitutional powers regarding the creation of agencies, the National Assembly is responsible for scrutinising and approving public expenditure.
Responding to suggestions that he could face disciplinary action for raising the issue, Sumaila said he was prepared to accept any consequences, insisting that legislative oversight should not be compromised.
A Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, has called for a series of reforms aimed at preventing similar controversies in the future.
Among his recommendations are stricter budget scrutiny mechanisms, a public appointment-verification portal, improved access controls within government institutions and stronger accountability measures for financial institutions handling government-related accounts.
Rahman argued that weaknesses in administrative, financial and oversight systems often create opportunities for abuse and should be addressed through comprehensive reforms.
Also reacting to the controversy, Archbishop of the Ondo Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Simeon Borokini, described the PFIPC saga as a reminder of the need for stronger anti-corruption measures in public institutions.
Speaking at a church synod in Akure, he urged authorities to ensure that all allegations are thoroughly investigated and that anyone found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law.
The cleric stressed that public resources must be protected and used for the benefit of citizens, while calling for broader institutional reforms to strengthen transparency and public trust.
As investigations and legal proceedings continue, attention remains focused on the courts, anti-corruption agencies and the National Assembly as stakeholders seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding the PFIPC controversy and its implications for governance and accountability.