TD Abuja, Nigeria – The Director General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, raising alarm over his personal safety.
Prince Matthew, in the letter, questioned the circumstances surrounding the death of an intermediary.
He also called for an expanded investigation into the ₦1.3 billion PFIPC allocation scandal.
Background
The PFIPC scandal erupted after revelations that ₦1.3 billion was inserted into the 2026 Appropriation Bill under the council’s name, despite questions over its legitimacy.
President Tinubu subsequently directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
Matthew, however, insists that the current framework cannot guarantee impartiality, arguing that the ICPC answers directly to the executive branch implicated in the allegations.
Safety Concerns
In his letter, Matthew warned that surrendering himself under the current arrangement would pose an “immediate, existential threat” to his life.
He claimed to have received verified intelligence that he is targeted for elimination if he surfaces in an unmonitored environment.
He cited the case of Mr. Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, an intermediary in the PFIPC matter.
Tanimola reportedly died in a fire at Kachi Hotel in Utako, Abuja.
Matthew questioned the official narrative, noting the absence of independent eyewitness accounts or media verification of the alleged inferno.
More troubling, he said, was the swift demolition of the hotel by unidentified armed actors days later, effectively erasing the crime scene and potential evidence.
Call for Expanded Inquiry
Matthew urged President Tinubu to establish an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel to ensure transparency and public trust.
He proposed that the panel include:
- Civil Society Organisations such as Amnesty International and SERAP.
- The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to safeguard constitutional due process.
- Independent Media Representatives from reputable outlets for transparent documentation.
- International Financial Observers from the World Bank and IMF, given the funds’ ties to multilateral credit frameworks.
- Human Rights Observers to monitor compliance with international standards.
- Diplomatic Observers: Representatives from the United Nations, United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, ECOWAS and the African Union.
- Statutory Enforcement: The ICPC and EFCC, serving as technical partners within this broader, independent coalition.
Allegations of Systemic Vulnerabilities and Dearth of Government Response
Matthew argued that the scandal highlights deeper systemic vulnerabilities and high-level involvement beyond his person.
He insisted that focusing solely on his arrest risks overshadowing the broader issues of governance and accountability.
He wrote: “True accountability cannot be achieved when the agency conducting the investigation answers directly to the branch of government within which the core allegations lie.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the ICPC has issued a public response to Matthew’s open letter.
The death of Dolapo Tanimola and the demolition of Kachi Hotel remain subjects of speculation, with no official explanation provided.
Public Reaction and Conclusion
Civil society groups have expressed concern over the allegations, particularly the claims of targeted threats and destruction of evidence.
Analysts say the case underscores Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with transparency in public finance and the need for independent oversight mechanisms.
The PFIPC scandal continues to unfold, with Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew’s open letter adding new dimensions of intrigue and urgency.
His demands for a multi-stakeholder panel highlight the growing calls for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s governance.
Whether President Tinubu will heed the call for an expanded inquiry remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the controversy has already intensified public scrutiny of the ₦1.3 billion PFIPC allocation and the circumstances surrounding the death of Dolapo Tanimola.
Matthew Vows to Provide Credible Evidence
Matthews pledged that as soon as this independent, multi-stakeholder panel is constituted, he will immediately step forward to present comprehensive documentation and verifiable evidence.
“A system cannot credibly investigate itself when its own key actors are central to the discourse.
“By broadening this panel, you will demonstrate to the world that your administration’s commitment to anti-corruption is absolute, institutional, and above palace politics.
“The international community is closely watching how Nigeria handles this test of fiscal integrity and governance.
“I remain fully prepared to present the facts and cooperate entirely with a balanced, secure, and independent panel,” he concluded.
