President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body the Federal Government says was never legally established.
The directive, announced by the President’s Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, requires the ICPC to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to the Presidency, the PFIPC has no legal backing, presidential approval, or executive authority. The investigation follows allegations that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The ICPC has been tasked with investigating allegations of forged appointment letters and government documents, the use of false presidential appointments to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The commission will also examine the role of any individuals, public officials, financial institutions, or other entities that may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme, as well as trace the source and movement of any funds involved.
President Tinubu further directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have enabled the alleged fraud and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He instructed all ministries, departments, and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the investigation and emphasized that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
