President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a full-scale investigation into the activities of the alleged fictitious “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) and individuals linked to it.
The President’s directive requires the ICPC to conclude the investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing through any law, executive order or presidential approval.
The investigation will focus on allegations of impersonation, forgery of official documents and claims of presidential appointment allegedly made by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation.
The ICPC is expected to investigate the alleged use of forged appointment letters and government documents to obtain recognition, diplomatic support, visa facilitation and the opening of bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies.
President Tinubu also directed the commission to examine the wider network of individuals, public officers, private organisations, financial institutions and intermediaries who may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
The probe will cover the origin and circulation of the alleged forged documents, movement of funds, operation of related accounts and possible involvement of persons who aided the activities.
The President further tasked the ICPC with identifying weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to cooperate fully with the investigation by providing relevant information and records.
President Tinubu stressed the need to protect the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions against impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity, directing that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
