President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). According to the President, the body is a fictitious organisation that has no legal backing or approval of the government.
The order released Tuesday also orders the anti-corruption body to complete its investigation and provide a full report to the President within 30 days.
The decision was taken following the fact that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful act of government, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said.
The Presidency said that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew had falsely claimed to be the Director General of the so-called council and a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu has asked the ICPC to examine charges including counterfeit appointment letters and other official government papers and claims that the suspect utilised the fake presidential appointment to seek official recognition, diplomatic backing and visa facilitation.
The probe will also examine claims of opening of several bank accounts in the names of alleged government agencies with fake documentation.
Apart from the activities of the prime suspect, the President instructed the ICPC to identify accomplices and to find out how the fictional organisation managed to create the semblance of official legitimacy.
The probe will look into the origin and use of forged official documents, the way in which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of associated bank accounts, the flow of funds related to the alleged scheme and the participation of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries.
Tinubu further directed the Commission to investigate the flaws that may have made the alleged fraud possible in the government systems and recommend ways to prevent a recurrence in future.
any government ministries, departments and agencies have been required to give the ICPC with any necessary records, information and assistance upon lawful request to help the inquiry.
The President underscored that the sanctity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be preserved from impersonation, forgery and misuse of official identity, and that anyone found accountable must face the full weight of the law.
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