The Nigeria Police have uncovered an alleged fraud and impersonation syndicate operating under the name of a fictitious government agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The development followed a petition from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President over the circulation of forged appointment letters and official documents falsely portraying the PFIPC as a legitimate federal body.

According to an interim investigation report submitted to the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, the documents contained falsified signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms to give them an appearance of authenticity.

Police identified Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew as the principal suspect. He allegedly posed as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja.

Investigators said Adeyemi held meetings with Nigerians and foreign nationals while presenting himself as the head of a federal agency. He was also accused of writing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting a Note Verbale to the United States Embassy to facilitate visa applications for individuals he claimed were council staff.

Adeyemi was arrested on October 27, 2025, at the office from where he allegedly operated. Searches conducted at the location and his residence in Suleja, Niger State, led to the recovery of forged appointment letters, official letterheads and other materials relevant to the investigation.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly mentioned one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola as the person who assisted him in obtaining the appointment letter. However, police said investigations revealed that Tanimola had died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel, Utako, Abuja, before Adeyemi’s arrest.

The police confirmed the death through statements from the deceased’s relatives, the hotel management, as well as records from the National Hospital, Abuja, and St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama.

Further findings showed that the PFIPC has no legal backing or recognition within any government structure. Officials from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General reportedly confirmed that the council does not exist.

Three civil servants allegedly posted to the council said they performed no official duties throughout their deployment.

Financial intelligence obtained with the support of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit revealed that the suspect allegedly operated 34 bank accounts across several commercial banks, including nine opened in the names of entities presented as government agencies.

Investigators also discovered that an account was opened with the Central Bank of Nigeria under the PFIPC name through the Office of the Accountant-General.

The police described the PFIPC as a fictitious entity used to impersonate government officials and conduct fraudulent activities.

Two other suspects identified as Femi and Anu are currently at large.

The police recommended the freezing of all accounts linked to the suspect and advised that the case be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions after further investigations.

Adeyemi has denied the allegations, which remain subject to judicial determination.