Tinubu orders ICPC to probe fake presidential council, gives 30 days deadline

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the activities of a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), directing the anti-graft agency to conclude its probe and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.

The President issued the directive after the discovery that the purported council was never established by the Federal Government and had no legal backing, presidential approval or executive authority, despite allegedly operating under the guise of an official government agency.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the fake council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

The ICPC is expected to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official documents, the use of the false 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.

President Tinubu also directed the Commission to investigate the roles of the principal suspect, his collaborators and any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.

The investigation will also examine how the fake council acquired an appearance of legitimacy, the source and movement of any funds linked to its activities, and identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited.

The President further ordered all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to provide the ICPC with all relevant information and assistance required for the speedy completion of 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 President said.

He directed that anyone found culpable at the end of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.