President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into a fraudulent organisation operating under the name "Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council" (PFIPC), following revelations that the body was never established or recognised by the Federal Government.
The directive, issued on Tuesday, mandates the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report to the President.
According to the Presidency, the so-called PFIPC has no legal basis, presidential approval, executive instrument or government authorisation. Authorities also identified one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the fictitious council while falsely claiming to be a presidential appointee.
The investigation will focus on allegations that forged appointment letters and other official government documents were used to create the impression of legitimacy. It will also examine claims that the fake presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition, diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and to open multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate not only the activities of the principal suspect and his collaborators but also the circumstances that allowed the fake organisation to gain an appearance of official credibility.
The probe will cover the origin and use of forged government documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds, and the possible involvement of any public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals linked to the alleged scheme.
The President also instructed the Commission to identify weaknesses within government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To ensure a speedy investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records and information upon lawful request.
Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent activities, adding that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
Abuja Network News
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