Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe into Alleged Fake Presidential Council, Gives 30-Day Deadline

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as a fictitious organisation with no legal backing or government approval.

The directive, issued on Tuesday, also mandates the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report to the President within 30 days.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful act of government.

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

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

The investigation will also examine allegations that multiple bank accounts were opened in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.

Beyond the actions of the principal suspect, the President ordered the ICPC to uncover any collaborators and determine how the fictitious organisation was able to gain an appearance of official legitimacy.

The probe is expected to examine the origin and use of forged official documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds linked to the alleged scheme, and the involvement of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries.

President Tinubu also instructed the Commission to identify loopholes within government systems that may have enabled the alleged fraud and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

To facilitate the investigation, all federal ministries, departments and agencies have been directed to provide the ICPC with all relevant records, information and assistance upon lawful request.

The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity, directing that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.