Tinubu gives ICPC 30 Days to probe purported presidential council

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and all matters connected to it.

The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.

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

According to the Presidency, the investigation follows the discovery that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing.

The statement alleged that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

Among the issues listed for investigation are the alleged forgery of appointment letters and official government documents, the use of false claims of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

The Presidency said President Tinubu also directed the ICPC to investigate not only the activities of the principal suspect and his collaborators but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled the alleged scheme to appear legitimate.

According to the statement, investigators are expected to examine the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been obtained, the operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the roles played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries linked to the matter.

President Tinubu also instructed the Commission to identify loopholes in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In addition, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records, information and assistance required for the investigation.

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