PFIPC is under investigation after President Bola Tinubu ordered the ICPC to probe a fictitious council, alleged forged appointment letters, fraudulent claims of presidential authority and related financial activities.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unauthorised.
The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report on its findings.
According to the Presidency, the directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal basis, presidential approval, executive instrument or any lawful authorisation.
The investigation centres on one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council and falsely claimed to have been appointed by the President.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations involving forged appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as claims that the suspect used the false presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The probe will also examine the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.
Beyond the activities of the principal suspect and his alleged collaborators, the President instructed the commission to investigate the broader circumstances that enabled the fictitious organisation to appear legitimate.
The investigation will cover the origin and use of forged official documents, attempts to secure official recognition or diplomatic support, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the possible involvement of public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries or other entities that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
President Tinubu also directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional processes that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To ensure a thorough investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the ICPC with all relevant information, records and necessary assistance upon lawful request.
The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and any attempt to exploit weaknesses within the public service.
He further directed that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
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