Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe Into Alleged PFIPC Fraud

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing the body as a fictitious organisation with no legal backing.

The directive, contained in a State House press release issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ordered the anti graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report.

According to the Presidency, the alleged PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, presidential approval, executive instrument or other lawful government action.

The statement identified Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the individual who allegedly presented himself as the Director General of the organisation while falsely claiming to be a presidential appointee.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents linked to the matter.

The commission is also expected to examine allegations that the false claim of 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 using allegedly forged documents.

The Presidency further instructed investigators to determine whether any collaborators or institutions played roles in enabling the alleged scheme.

The investigation will also examine the origin and use of the disputed documents, the processes through which official recognition may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of any funds involved and the possible involvement of public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries.

In addition, the President directed the commission to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

To facilitate the investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records and information requested in accordance with the law.

Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and public institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity.

He also directed that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.