President Bola Ahmed 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), describing it as a fictitious body with no legal backing.
The directive, announced in a State House statement issued on Tuesday, also gives the anti-corruption agency 30 days to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report to the President.
According to the Presidency, 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."
The investigation follows allegations that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate alleged forged appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
Beyond the actions of the principal suspect and any collaborators, the President instructed the commission to examine how the fictitious council was able to project an appearance of legitimacy.
The investigation will also cover the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, efforts to obtain official recognition or diplomatic support, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of any funds involved, and the role of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
Tinubu further directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents.
To support the investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the commission with relevant information, records and assistance upon lawful request.
"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 President said.
He also ordered that "all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law."
The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
