The acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has said he is ready to cooperate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in its investigation into the fictitious agency.

He stated this on Tuesday during an Instagram interview with social media personality VeryDarkMan, hours after President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the activities of the purported agency and all related matters, demanding a comprehensive report within 30 days.

Adeyemi also said he is  willing to hand over documents in his possession to security agencies to assist ongoing investigations into the controversy surrounding the body

He said, “I am willing and ready to help security agencies or any panel set up by Mr President to unravel the truth.

“In fact, any moment from now, I will go to the DSS or the police to submit all the documents I have to help them investigate and look into this matter.”

Adeyemi said he possessed documents he believed would assist investigators in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the council.

“They should authenticate them. They should verify them. They should unravel the truth,” he said.

During the interview, Adeyemi questioned how the council, which the Presidency insists does not exist, appeared in the national budget.

“When the Presidency, through the Chief of Staff, said the agency does not exist, I wondered how an agency that found its way into the national budget could suddenly be described as fake,” he said.

He added, “I was in detention for 23 days during the period the budget was being prepared. I did not prepare or defend any budget, and nobody went to defend it on my behalf. That is why I am confused about how the agency found its way into the national budget.”

On his allegations against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Adeyemi said he preferred an independent investigation rather than making further accusations.

“I wouldn’t say he’s lying, and I wouldn’t say he’s telling the truth. That is why I requested that Mr President set up an investigative panel to unravel the truth, so we will know those involved,” he said.

Adeyemi also claimed he was attacked by gunmen near Zuma Rock in September 2025 and reiterated that his involvement with the council was driven by a desire to attract foreign investment to Nigeria.

“I don’t really have a negative plan. It’s all about passion for the country. That agency is to bring foreign investors to Nigeria and make Nigeria a preferred destination for investment,” he said.

PUNCH Online reports that the Presidency has maintained that the Federal Government never established the council, while the ICPC has been directed to conclude its investigation and submit a report within 30 days.

Tinubu also directed the ICPC to investigate the forged appointment letters and official government documents allegedly used by Adeyemi to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

The directive comes after weeks of mounting public pressure from civil society organisations, opposition politicians and senior lawyers who demanded an independent inquiry into how the fictitious council operated from the Federal Secretariat Complex, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an allocation of N1.3bn and engaged diplomatic missions, all without any enabling law or presidential instrument.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who is representing Adeyemi, had questioned how the body found its way into the national budget even if the appointment letter was forged, and called for the ICPC to investigate both Adeyemi and Gbajabiamila.

The Presidency had denied any connection between Gbajabiamila and the scheme, saying that forensic analysis by the police had confirmed the signature on the appointment letter was forged.

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US President Donald Trump said Wednesday the ceasefire with Iran was “over” after the two sides traded fire, but added that negotiators could keep talking to Tehran.

Trump blasted Iran as “scum” and “cuckoo” after Washington launched strikes on the Islamic Republic overnight and Iran’s Guards said they had targeted US bases in the Gulf.

Oil prices jumped five percent after Trump’s remarks.

“I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them any more, they’re scum,” Trump said at a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara when asked if the truce with Iran was now finished.

“They’re scum, they’re sick people, they’re led by sick people, and they’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”

Trump said he would speak to businessman-turned-negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who have been dealing with the Iranians, but insisted it was up to Tehran to return to the table.

“Frankly, I don’t want to waste my time with them. Now, I’ll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don’t see it,” Trump said.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them. They’re liars.”

Trump accused the Iranians of repeatedly misrepresenting what had been agreed in the ceasefire that Washington and Tehran signed on June 17.

“Everyone’s agreed, no nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside, joke to the press, they say we never even talked about it. There’s something wrong with them, they’re cuckoo,” Trump added.

NATO chief Mark Rutte, with whom Trump was meeting when he made the comments, backed the US strikes on Iran.

“I think what you did last night was absolutely necessary. It was a very strong response, and I’m with you on this,” Rutte told reporters.

‘Not happy’

But despite Rutte’s efforts to placate Trump — whom he called “Daddy” at a NATO summit last year — the US leader again hit out at NATO for failing to get involved in the Iran war.

“I’m not happy with NATO because of the fact that they didn’t want to help us with the number one state sponsor of terror, that’s Iran. They were unwilling to help us,” Trump said.

“I spoke with UK, and the prime minister said, ‘well, we don’t want to help you now, but we’ll help you when the war is over.’ I said that’s not good. And likewise, I spoke to Germany, they didn’t want to help. Spoke to France, didn’t want to help.”

The US military said it had struck over 80 targets including Iranian speedboats in response to Iranian attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz.

AFP

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Families and members of the Omugo community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have celebrated the return of the three remaining worshippers of the Evangelical Church Winning All, Omugo, who regained their freedom after spending 105 days in captivity.

The three women, including a hearing-impaired widow, were among eight worshippers abducted by suspected kidnappers who invaded the church during a Sunday service on March 22, 2026.

While five of the victims reportedly died in captivity, the remaining three regained their freedom following a coordinated security offensive against suspected kidnappers operating in forests along the Kwara-Kogi border.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, President of the Omugo Development Union, Oladimeji Thompson, described the return of the three women as a moment of “mixed emotions,” saying the community was celebrating their freedom while mourning those who lost their lives in captivity.

He said, “With grateful hearts, we give all glory to Almighty God because the three remaining mothers in captivity have finally regained their freedom and have been reunited with their families.

“Indeed, God has once again shown that He hears and answers the prayers of His people. To Him alone be all the glory.”

Reflecting on the ordeal, Thompson recalled that the attack on the church remained one of the darkest moments in the history of Omugo, noting that the community endured 105 days of fear, anxiety and unceasing prayers while hoping for the safe return of the victims.

“For 105 painful days, our community lived in fear, anxiety, uncertainty and unceasing prayers. Yet, we never gave up hope. We trusted in God, stood together as one people and believed that He would make a way where there seemed to be none,” he said.

The community leader also paid tribute to the five worshippers who died in the kidnappers’ den, describing their deaths as a painful loss that would never be forgotten.

“Even as we celebrate this joyful reunion, our hearts remain heavy with grief as we remember the five precious worshippers who lost their lives in the kidnappers’ den,” Thompson said.

“On behalf of the Omugo Development Union, I extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, ECWA Church, Omugo, and the entire community. May the Almighty God comfort every grieving family and grant eternal rest to the souls of our departed brothers and sisters,” he added.

Thompson commended security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, local vigilante groups and other security personnel for their roles in securing the victims’ release.

“We sincerely appreciate the government at all levels, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Armed Forces, local vigilante groups, and all security personnel whose courage, professionalism and relentless efforts contributed to the successful rescue of the remaining captives,” he said.

He also praised the Oloro of Oro Ago, the Olomugo of Omugo and the Council of Chiefs for providing leadership and encouragement throughout the period of uncertainty, while thanking sons and daughters of Omugo, both at home and in the diaspora, for their financial support, prayers and solidarity.

Calling for sustained unity, Thompson urged displaced residents to return home, assuring them that adequate arrangements had been put in place to safeguard lives and property.

“I also encourage you all to return home, as all arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of lives and property in our community,” he stated.

Earlier, the Joint Security Watch, Kwara South, said the victims were released after sustained pressure was mounted on the kidnappers during the coordinated security operation along the Kwara-Kogi border.

“A fierce and coordinated operation by Kogi State Joint Security Forces, comprising the military, police, hunters and vigilante groups, has forced the release of many captives held in forests along the Kwara-Kogi border,” the group said.

“The relieving news filtered in last night as freed victims began reuniting with their families,” it added.

Also confirming the return of the ECWA worshippers, the pastor-in-charge of the church, Rev. Sunday Omole, said the church had received the three women and appealed for prayers for their recovery.

“With great joy in my heart, I announce that we already received back three of the eight people kidnapped from ECWA Omugo this afternoon. Join us as we pray for their quick recovery in Jesus’ name, amen,” Omole said.

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and a text message sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

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