Isaac Samuel
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.
The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude the investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and had no legal backing, presidential approval or executive instrument.
The statement said one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other government documents, as well as the use of the false presidential appointment to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The commission is also expected to probe the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
According to the Presidency, the investigation will extend beyond the principal suspect to include other collaborators and the circumstances that enabled the fictitious body to appear legitimate.
The presidency said the probe would examine the origin and use of forged official documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the roles played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries connected to the alleged scheme.
President Tinubu instructed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommended measures to prevent similar occurrences.
The statement added that all federal ministries, departments and agencies had been directed to provide the commission with all relevant records and assistance required to ensure the timely completion of the investigation.
“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; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme.
“The President further directed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.
“All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.
“President Tinubu stated that 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 directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law”, the statement added.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountability, Tinubu said the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent practices.
He directed that anyone found culpable at the end of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
