Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe into Alleged Fake Presidential Council, Gives 30-Day Deadline
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a purported “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unauthorised by the Federal Government.
The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the directive followed the discovery that 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 said one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations surrounding forged appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as the alleged use of a false claim of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation.
The Commission is also expected to investigate the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using suspected forged documents.
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According to the Presidency, the investigation will extend beyond the principal suspect to include all collaborators and examine the circumstances that enabled the fictitious organisation and false claims of presidential authority to gain apparent official legitimacy.
The probe will also cover the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the establishment and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of any funds involved, and the possible involvement of public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries, or other entities that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
The President further directed the ICPC to identify any institutional or administrative weaknesses exploited in the alleged fraud and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar occurrences.
To facilitate the investigation, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the Commission with all relevant records, information, and other lawful assistance required for the timely completion of the probe.
President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity, and any exploitation of vulnerabilities within the public service.
He also directed that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with in accordance with the law.
