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), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.
The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to a State House statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, presidential approval, executive instrument or any other lawful basis.
The statement identified one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the individual who 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 allegations surrounding forged appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of false claims of presidential appointment to 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 investigation will also examine the actions of other individuals who may have collaborated in the alleged scheme, alongside the broader circumstances that allowed the fictitious body and the false claims of presidential appointment to appear legitimate.
The President instructed the commission to determine the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, scrutinise how official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, investigate the operation of related bank accounts, trace the source and movement of any funds involved, and identify any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated the activities.
In addition, the ICPC has been directed to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar occurrences.
To facilitate the probe, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the commission with all relevant records, information and assistance required for the timely completion of the investigation.
President Tinubu reaffirmed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and exploitation of weaknesses within the public service. He also directed that anyone found culpable should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.