President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following revelations that the body has no legal status or official recognition by the Federal Government.
The President directed the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report on its findings.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly posed as the Director-General of the council and falsely claimed to have been appointed by the President.
The ICPC has been tasked with investigating allegations of forged appointment letters and other government documents linked to the purported agency. It will also examine claims that the suspect used the alleged presidential appointment to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The probe will further investigate the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of government agencies using forged documents, as well as trace the origin and movement of funds connected to the scheme.
According to the Presidency, investigators are expected to determine whether any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries aided the operations of the alleged fake agency or helped it gain legitimacy.
The investigation will also identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
President Tinubu directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all documents and information required for the investigation.
The Presidency stressed that protecting the integrity of government institutions remains a priority, adding that anyone found culpable of impersonation, forgery or abuse of official identity would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The directive comes amid growing scrutiny over the activities of the purported council and allegations surrounding its operations within the Presidency.
