By Opeyemi Adelakun
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), ordering the anti-graft agency to conclude its probe and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
The directive was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government.
According to the Presidency, the organisation has no legal foundation, presidential approval, executive instrument or any other lawful authority backing its existence.
The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council while claiming to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations relating to forged appointment letters and other official government documents allegedly used to portray the organisation as a legitimate federal institution.
The anti-corruption agency is also expected to examine claims that the fake presidential appointment was used to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation from government institutions and foreign missions.
In addition, investigators will probe the alleged opening and operation of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged official documents.
The Presidency said the investigation should go beyond the activities of the principal suspect to determine the origin and use of the forged documents, establish how official recognition may have been sought or obtained, trace the source and movement of any funds connected to the alleged scheme, and identify every individual or institution that may have facilitated the operation.
According to the statement, the investigation will cover the roles of public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries and other entities that may have enabled or participated in the alleged fraud.
Tinubu also instructed the ICPC to determine the institutional and administrative weaknesses that may have allowed the organisation and the alleged false presidential appointment to appear credible.
The Commission is expected to recommend measures that will strengthen government systems and prevent similar cases of impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity.
To facilitate the investigation, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC with every relevant document, record and assistance required upon lawful request.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency, President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery and exploitation of weaknesses within the public service.
He further directed that everyone found culpable at the end of the investigation should be prosecuted strictly in accordance with the law.
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