President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and every matter connected to it.
The President instructed the anti-corruption agency to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was allegedly a fictitious organisation that was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, presidential approval, executive instrument or any lawful government authorisation.
According to the statement, one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and falsely claimed to have been appointed by the President.
The ICPC has been directed to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other 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 ordered the Commission to investigate the actions of the principal suspect, any collaborators, and the broader circumstances that may have allowed the alleged fake organisation and false claims of presidential appointment to appear legitimate.
The investigation will also examine how the alleged false official documents were created and used, how official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the operation of any related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and whether any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries played any role in the alleged scheme.
In addition, the President directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Presidency said all ministries, departments and agencies have been instructed to provide the ICPC with all relevant information, records and assistance required to ensure the investigation is completed without delay.
President Tinubu reaffirmed that the integrity of the Presidency and Federal Government institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent activities, stressing that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
