President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as a fictitious organisation with no legal backing.
The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude the investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report, following revelations that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful government instrument.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly posed as the Director-General of the fake council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The statement said the ICPC would investigate allegations involving forged appointment letters and official government documents, the use of a false 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.
President Tinubu also directed the commission to widen its investigation beyond the principal suspect to uncover other collaborators and determine how the fictitious organisation acquired an appearance of official legitimacy.
The probe will examine 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 linked to the alleged scheme.
In addition, the President instructed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Tinubu also directed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant information, records and assistance required to ensure the timely completion of the investigation.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountability, the President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent practices.
He further directed that anyone found culpable at the end of the investigation should face the full weight of the law.
