President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC to investigate the activities of a group operating under the name Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, describing it as a fictitious body with no legal backing or government approval.
The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report, following the discovery that the council was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval or other lawful act of government.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The statement said the ICPC will investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
President Tinubu also directed the Commission to investigate the activities of the principal suspect, other collaborators, and any public officers, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.
The investigation will also examine the origin and use of the forged documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the operation of related bank accounts, and the source and movement of any funds linked to the activities.
The President further directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar abuses in the future.
He also instructed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to provide the Commission with all relevant records and assistance required for the speedy completion of 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 exploitation of weaknesses in the public service, directing that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
