President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a purported “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC), described by the Presidency as a fictitious organisation with no legal backing or government approval.
The President directed the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days, amid allegations of forgery, impersonation and abuse of government identity.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Federal Government discovered that the PFIPC was never established through any law, executive approval, presidential instrument or lawful government process.
The Presidency alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The investigation, according to the directive, will focus on allegations that forged appointment letters and other official government documents were used to create an appearance of legitimacy for the organisation.
The ICPC is also expected to examine claims that the alleged false presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation, as well as allegations surrounding the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using suspected forged documents.
President Tinubu directed the commission to widen the scope of the investigation beyond the principal suspect and scrutinise all individuals and entities that may have played a role in the alleged scheme.
“The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; and the source and movement of any funds involved,” the statement said.
The President also ordered investigators to determine whether any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries facilitated the alleged activities.
In addition, the ICPC has been tasked with identifying loopholes within government institutions that may have been exploited and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To ensure a swift investigation, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the commission with relevant records, information and support whenever lawfully requested.
President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery and other forms of abuse.
“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 stated.
He further directed that any person found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
The probe comes amid growing concerns over the use of forged government documents and the impersonation of public institutions for personal gain, with the Presidency signalling a zero-tolerance stance against such practices.
