President Bola 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 and other issues linked to the alleged scheme.
The President gave the directive in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the ICPC is expected to complete the investigation and submit a comprehensive report to the President within 30 days.
The directive followed the discovery that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) was fictitious and was never created by the Federal Government.
The Presidency said the council had no legal backing, presidential approval or any official instrument establishing it.
“The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which 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,” the statement said.
The Presidency alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely claimed to be the Director-General of the council and presented himself as a presidential appointee.
It said the investigation would focus on alleged forged appointment letters and government documents, attempts to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support using false claims of presidential appointment, as well as the opening of bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies.
The statement added that the ICPC probe would cover the activities of the alleged principal suspect and other collaborators, including the origin and use of fake official documents, movement of funds, and the involvement of any public officer, private individual, financial institution or intermediary linked to the matter.
“The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved,” the Presidency stated.
Tinubu also directed the anti-graft agency to identify possible gaps in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The President further ordered all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to provide the ICPC with necessary information and support to aid the investigation.
“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 statement added.
He also directed that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in line with relevant laws.
