Tinubu Gives ICPC 30 Days to Probe Alleged Fake Presidential Council

President Bola Ahmed 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) and submit its report within 30 days.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the Presidency, the investigation became necessary after it was established that the PFIPC was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, presidential approval or executive instrument.

The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew had been presenting himself as the Director-General of the organisation while falsely claiming to be a presidential appointee.

President Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official documents, as well as the use of the purported presidential appointment to obtain government recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation.

The ICPC was also mandated to investigate the alleged opening and operation of multiple bank accounts in the names of government agencies using suspected forged documents.

According to the Presidency, the investigation will further examine the origin and use of the alleged fake official documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been obtained, the source and movement of funds linked to the activities, and the roles played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries connected to the alleged scheme.

The President also instructed the commission to determine how the organisation and the alleged false claim of presidential appointment were able to gain legitimacy.

In addition, the ICPC is expected to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Presidency said all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government had been directed to cooperate fully with the commission by providing all relevant records, information and assistance required to conclude the investigation.

“The integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service,” the President said.

Tinubu also directed that “all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.”