By Chinedu Echianu
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a fictitious body operating as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), directing the anti-graft agency to conclude its findings within 30 days.
The directive, contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, follows the discovery that the PFIPC was never created or authorised by the Federal Government and has no legal or executive backing.
According to the statement, one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly posed as the Director-General of the fake council while falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations of forged appointment letters and other official documents, the use of false presidential credentials to secure 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 suspected forged documents.
The investigation will also examine the involvement of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries or other collaborators who may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
The commission has been tasked with uncovering how the fictitious council gained an appearance of legitimacy, tracing the origin and use of forged government documents, examining the operation of related bank accounts, and tracking any funds linked to the alleged activities.
President Tinubu also directed investigators to identify institutional loopholes exploited by the suspects and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To support the probe, all federal ministries, departments and agencies have been instructed to provide the ICPC with relevant records, information and assistance upon lawful request.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the Presidency and public institutions, the President stressed that impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity would not be tolerated, warning that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
