JUST IN: Tinubu orders ICPC probe into alleged fake presidential council

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola 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), describing it as a fictitious body with no legal backing.

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

The directive follows the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful government instrument.

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.

According to the statement, the ICPC has been directed to investigate allegations involving forged appointment letters and other 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 commission will also investigate the roles of other collaborators and determine how the fictitious organisation was able to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.

The Presidency said the investigation would examine the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of any funds, and the possible involvement of public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or other entities that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.

President Tinubu also directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.

He instructed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to cooperate fully with the commission by providing all relevant information and records required for the investigation.

According to the statement, the President reaffirmed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent activities.

He further directed that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.