Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe of Fake ‘Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council’
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of a fictitious body known as the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council,” PFIPC, and all related matters. The President has ordered that the investigation be concluded and a comprehensive report submitted to him within 30 days.
The directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of government. According to the State House release, one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The ICPC probe will cover several issues, including forged appointment letters and other official government documents. Investigators are also to examine the use of false claims of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation. Another focus is the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
President Tinubu further directed the Commission to investigate not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators, but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy. The investigation will also trace the provenance and use of false official documents, the processes through which recognition was sought, the operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other entity that may have facilitated the scheme.
In addition, the President charged the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited, and to recommend immediate measures to prevent recurrence of similar abuses. All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the Commission, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.
Speaking on the matter, the President 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. He stressed that public trust depends on ensuring that no unauthorized body can operate under the guise of government authority.
The President directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law. The ICPC has been mandated to commence the probe immediately and report back within the stipulated 30-day period.
