ICPC Clears State House, Recommends Prosecution Over Alleged Fake Federal Agency

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has submitted an interim report to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on its investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), concluding that the body never legally existed and recommending the prosecution of the individual accused of promoting it.

The report comes 30 days after President Tinubu directed the anti-corruption agency to investigate claims surrounding the controversial council and establish whether it had any legal backing or links to the Presidency.

Speaking to journalists after presenting the report, ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu disclosed that investigators found no evidence that the purported agency was established by the Federal Government or authorized by the Presidency.

According to the commission, its investigation revealed that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who claimed to be associated with the council, was never appointed by the Federal Government. The ICPC further stated that documents presented to validate the agency, including an alleged appointment letter, were forged and did not originate from the State House.

The anti-graft agency also cleared the Presidency of any involvement in the matter, stating that investigators found no security or administrative lapses within the State House that facilitated the creation or operation of the alleged agency.

In addition, the commission said there was no evidence that any Federal Government funds were approved, released or disbursed to the purported council, dismissing concerns that public resources had been diverted through the alleged scheme.

Based on its findings, the ICPC recommended the criminal prosecution of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew for offences related to forgery and impersonation, while also calling for administrative sanctions against public officers whose negligence may have enabled the fake agency to operate without early detection.

The commission noted that investigations remain ongoing and that additional recommendations could be made as more evidence emerges.

The development follows growing public concern over reports of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, which claimed to operate under the authority of the Presidency before questions were raised about its authenticity.

The Presidency has yet to issue a formal statement on the ICPC’s interim report, but the findings are expected to reassure the public that the alleged agency had no legal standing and was not recognized by the Federal Government.