President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following revelations that the body is fictitious and has no legal or constitutional backing.
The President ordered the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report detailing its findings and recommendations.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the so-called PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and does not exist under any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful instrument.
The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and claimed to have been appointed by President Tinubu.
The President directed the ICPC to investigate allegations that forged appointment letters and other official government documents were used to create the impression that the council was legitimate. The Commission is also expected to determine whether the false claim of presidential appointment was used to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The investigation will further examine allegations that multiple bank accounts were opened in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents, while tracing the source and movement of any funds linked to the alleged fraudulent scheme.
President Tinubu also instructed the ICPC to identify other individuals, organisations or collaborators who may have participated in or facilitated the activities of the fictitious body.
The probe will assess how the alleged forged official documents were created and used, the processes through which official recognition may have been sought or obtained, and whether any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries played roles in enabling the alleged fraud.
In addition, the President directed the Commission to identify weaknesses within government institutions and administrative processes that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar occurrences.
To facilitate a thorough investigation, all federal ministries, departments and agencies have been directed to provide the ICPC with relevant records, documents and any other assistance required upon lawful request.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and institutional integrity, President Tinubu stressed that the Presidency and all Federal Government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other criminal acts capable of eroding public trust.
He further directed that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
