The Federal Government has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a fictitious body operating as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following the discovery of an alleged scheme involving forged government documents, false claims of presidential appointments and the operation of bank accounts in the name of non-existent government agencies.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the anti-corruption agency to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported council and submit its findings within 30 days.
According to the Presidency, the directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing under any law, presidential instrument, executive approval or other lawful act of government.
The Presidency identified one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the individual who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called council while falsely claiming to be a presidential appointee.
The President directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged use of forged appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as claims that the false presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation.
The anti-graft agency will also investigate allegations that multiple bank accounts were opened in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.
Beyond the activities of the principal suspect, Tinubu ordered the Commission to widen the investigation to uncover all individuals and entities that may have played a role in giving legitimacy to the fictitious organisation.
According to the directive, investigators are expected to examine the origin and use of the alleged forged official documents, determine how official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, and trace the opening and operation of any related bank accounts, including the source and movement of funds connected to the alleged scheme.
The investigation will further identify the role of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries or other persons that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged activities.
President Tinubu also instructed the ICPC to identify weaknesses within government systems and institutional procedures that may have been exploited by those behind the alleged operation and recommend immediate reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To facilitate the investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records, documents and other information requested in accordance with the law.
Explaining the rationale behind the directive, the President stressed the need to safeguard the credibility of the nation’s highest office and public institutions from fraud and impersonation.
“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,” the Presidency quoted Tinubu as saying.
The President also directed that any individual found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the provisions of the law.
