BREAKING NEWS: TINUBU ORDERS ICPC TO PROBE PURPORTED PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN INTERVENTION PROMOTION COUNCIL

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the activities of a fictitious organisation called the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) and the individuals behind it.

The directive, issued on Tuesday, requires the ICPC to conclude its probe and submit a comprehensive report to the President within 30 days.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the so-called PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government, nor does it have any legal backing through law, executive order, or presidential approval.

Impersonation and Forgery Alleged

One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and claimed to be a presidential appointee. The ICPC has been tasked with investigating forged appointment letters and other official-looking government documents used in the scheme.

The investigation will also examine how the fake organisation allegedly used claims of presidential backing to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support, and visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.

President Tinubu has directed the ICPC to probe not only the principal suspect and his collaborators, but also the wider network that enabled the scam to gain an appearance of legitimacy. 

This includes:

The origin and circulation of forged official documents

Processes used to seek official recognition or diplomatic assistance

Operation of related bank accounts

Sources and movement of any funds involved

The role of any public officers, private individuals, financial institutions, or intermediaries who may have facilitated the alleged fraud

Focus on Systemic Weaknesses

The President has also asked the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that were exploited and to recommend urgent measures to prevent similar incidents in future.

All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to fully cooperate with the ICPC by providing relevant information and records as requested.

In his directive, President Tinubu emphasised the need to safeguard the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions against impersonation, forgery, and abuse of official identity.

“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 statement said.

The President further directed that anyone found culpable should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.