Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe of Fake Presidential Council, Gives 30-Day Deadline

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a fictitious body known as the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC), describing it as an illegal entity with no legal backing or government approval.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report.

According to the statement, the directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and had no basis in any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful government action.

The Presidency alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

The investigation will also examine the roles of other collaborators and determine how the fictitious organisation was able to gain an appearance of legitimacy.

According to the directive, the probe will cover the origin and use of forged official documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds, and the involvement of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries linked to the alleged scheme.

The President also instructed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Tinubu further directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the commission by providing all relevant records and information required for the investigation.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountability, the President said the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.

He added that anyone found culpable should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.