By Jane Okafor, Abeokuta
President Bola Ahmed 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), a body the Federal Government says was never created and has no legal backing.
The President’s directive follows the discovery of the alleged fictitious organisation, which reportedly operated under claims of being a government-approved entity.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu has directed the ICPC to complete the investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
The investigation will focus on the activities of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The ICPC is expected to examine allegations involving forged appointment letters and official documents, attempts to obtain government recognition and diplomatic assistance, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly falsified documents.
The President also directed the anti-corruption agency to investigate the wider circumstances that allowed the alleged fake entity to gain an appearance of legitimacy.
The probe will cover the origin and use of the documents, any financial transactions linked to the council, the movement of funds, and the possible involvement of public officers, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
Tinubu further instructed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the commission with relevant records and assistance needed to conclude the investigation.
The President said the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and exploitation of administrative gaps.
He directed that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
