Tinubu orders ICPC lrobe of fake Presidential Council, gives 30-day deadline

By Johnson Arua

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.

The President ordered the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report, following revelations that the council was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, presidential approval or executive authorization.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

According to the statement, the ICPC will investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as claims of presidential appointment allegedly used to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.

The Commission will also probe the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents, trace the movement of funds, and identify individuals or institutions that may have aided or participated in the alleged fraud.

President Tinubu further directed the ICPC to examine how the fake council acquired an appearance of legitimacy and identify loopholes in government procedures that may have been exploited. He also ordered the Commission to recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.

The Presidency said all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been instructed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant information and records required to facilitate the investigation.

Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and Federal Government institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity, warning that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.