Tinubu orders ICPC to probe fake Presidential Council, gives 30-day deadline

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.

The President directed the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report, signalling a fresh crackdown on the alleged abuse of government identity and official processes.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing through any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful government instrument.

The Presidency said Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations surrounding the use of forged appointment letters and other government documents, as well as claims that the alleged fake presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.

The investigation will also examine the opening and operation of multiple bank accounts allegedly created in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.

Beyond the activities of the principal suspect, the President ordered the commission to identify all collaborators and unravel the wider circumstances that enabled the fictitious council and the false claim of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of legitimacy.

The ICPC is also expected to investigate the origin and use of the alleged forged official documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the source and movement of any funds connected with the scheme, and the roles played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries that may have facilitated the alleged fraud.

President Tinubu further directed the commission to identify loopholes within government institutions that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar abuses in the future.

To facilitate the investigation, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the ICPC with all relevant documents, records and assistance required for the timely completion of the probe.

The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and public institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and any attempt to exploit weaknesses in government systems.

He also directed that anyone found culpable at the end of the investigation should face the full weight of the law in accordance with applicable legal provisions.