President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a fictitious body known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following the discovery that it was never established by the Federal Government.
The President also ordered the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report on its findings.
According to a statement issued by the president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday, the so-called council has no legal backing and was not created through any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful government instrument.
The statement disclosed that Adeniyi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged use of forged appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as claims of presidential appointment used to seek official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation.
The commission will also investigate the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.
Beyond the activities of the principal suspect and his alleged collaborators, the President directed the ICPC to examine the wider circumstances that enabled the fictitious body and the false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.
The investigation will also examine the origin and use of the forged documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the operation of any related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the role of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries that may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.
Tinubu further instructed the commission 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.
He also directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant information, records and assistance required to ensure the timely completion of the investigation.
The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses within the public service.
He added that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.