President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
The directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal basis, presidential approval, executive instrument, or any lawful government authorization.
The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations surrounding forged appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as claims that the suspect used the purported presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and opened multiple bank accounts in the names of alleged government agencies using forged documents.
The President also instructed the Commission to investigate the roles of other collaborators and examine how the fictitious body allegedly gained an appearance of official legitimacy.
According to the statement, the probe will cover the origin and use of forged official documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the involvement of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries linked to the alleged scheme.
President Tinubu further directed the ICPC to identify institutional weaknesses that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He also instructed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to cooperate fully with the Commission by providing all relevant information, records and assistance required for the investigation.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting public institutions, the President said the integrity of the Presidency and the Federal Government must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and exploitation of weaknesses within the public service.
He directed that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
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