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 a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.
The President ordered that the investigation be concluded within 30 days, with a detailed report submitted to him.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the directive followed the discovery that the so-called PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, presidential approval, executive instrument or any other lawful authority.
The statement disclosed that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and falsely claimed to have been appointed by the President.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as the use of the false presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The anti-corruption agency is also expected to investigate the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.
The President further instructed the Commission to extend its investigation beyond the principal suspect to include all collaborators and examine the circumstances that enabled the fictitious organisation to appear legitimate.
The investigation will also cover the origin and use of forged official documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, 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 who may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.
In addition, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To ensure a speedy investigation, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the ICPC with all relevant records, information and necessary assistance upon lawful request.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency, President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and Federal Government institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent activities.
He also ordered that anyone found culpable at the conclusion that the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
