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 a fictitious body known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), ordering that the probe be completed within 30 days.
The directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, presidential approval, executive instrument or any other lawful authority.
According to the directive, the ICPC is expected to submit a detailed report to the President within one month.
The investigation centres on Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu instructed the anti-corruption agency to investigate allegations of forged 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 Commission is also expected to probe the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
Beyond the actions of the principal suspect, the President directed the ICPC to uncover the role of any collaborators and examine the broader circumstances that allowed the fictitious organisation and false claims of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of legitimacy.
The investigation will also cover the origin and use of forged government documents, the procedures through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or secured, the establishment and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds connected with the alleged scheme, and the involvement of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated the operation.
President Tinubu further tasked the Commission with identifying weaknesses in government and institutional processes that may have been exploited, while recommending immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To ensure a speedy investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records, information and assistance whenever lawfully requested.
The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other acts capable of undermining public confidence in government.
He also ordered that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should face the full weight of the law.
