President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a fraudulent body operating under the name Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and submit its findings within 30 days.
The directive was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the PFIPC is not a legitimate government institution, having never been established by the Federal Government. It also lacks any legal backing, presidential approval, executive instrument, or other lawful authorization.
The Presidency said an individual identified as Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly posed as the Director-General of the fictitious council and falsely claimed to have been appointed by the President.
The ICPC has been instructed to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of a false presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using suspected forged documents.
The anti-corruption agency is also expected to determine how the fake council gained an appearance of legitimacy, identify any accomplices, and examine the roles of public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries, or other entities that may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.
In addition, the investigation will trace the origin and use of forged official documents, review the opening and operation of related bank accounts, and track the source and movement of any funds linked to the activities.
President Tinubu further directed the Commission to identify any loopholes in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To ensure a speedy investigation, all federal ministries, departments, and agencies have been instructed to provide the ICPC with any relevant records, information, and assistance required upon lawful request.
The President emphasized that the integrity of the Presidency and other government institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery, misuse of official identity, and other fraudulent activities. He added that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
