Tinubu Orders ICPC to Probe ‘Fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council
President Bola Ahmed 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 the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to the Presidency, the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal basis, presidential approval, executive instrument or any other lawful authority.
The statement identified Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the individual who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the fake council while falsely claiming to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations including the forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of a false presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support such as visa facilitation, and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The investigation will also cover the activities of collaborators, the source and movement of funds linked to the alleged scheme, and the role of any public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals who may have facilitated the operations of the fictitious organisation.
The President further instructed the Commission to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He also directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records and information required for the investigation.
President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent activities, adding that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
