Tinubu Orders Sweeping ICPC Probe into Fake Presidential Council, Gives Investigators 30 Days

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), declaring that the body is fictitious and has no legal or official existence under the Federal Government.

The President directed the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report, as authorities move to unravel what the Presidency described as an elaborate scheme involving impersonation, forgery and the abuse of government identity.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Federal Government discovered that the PFIPC was never created through any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful government instrument.

The Presidency identified one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the individual who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council while falsely claiming to have been appointed by President Tinubu.

The President directed the ICPC to investigate allegations that forged appointment letters and other official government documents were used to project legitimacy for the fake organisation.

The Commission is also expected to determine whether the false claim of a presidential appointment was used to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support, visa facilitation and other government privileges.

In addition, investigators have been tasked with probing the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents, tracing the movement of funds connected to the operation and identifying all individuals or institutions that may have facilitated the scheme.

President Tinubu further ordered the ICPC to widen its investigation beyond the principal suspect to include any collaborators, public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals who may have enabled the activities of the fictitious body.

The probe will also examine how the alleged syndicate was able to create an appearance of official legitimacy and identify weaknesses within government institutions that may have been exploited.

To support the investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies have been directed to provide the ICPC with all relevant documents, records and assistance required for the timely completion of the probe.

President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery and the misuse of official identity, adding that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.