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

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

Description: President Bola Tinubu has ordered the ICPC to investigate the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, forged government documents, and related fraud, with a report due within 30 days.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following revelations that the organisation is fake and was never established by the Federal Government.

The directive was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the Presidency, President Tinubu has given the anti-corruption agency 30 days to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report detailing its findings.

Fake Presidential Council Under Investigation

The Presidency disclosed that investigations revealed the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has no legal existence and was never created by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to the statement, the council has no basis in any law, executive approval, presidential directive, or official government instrument, making all claims associated with it unlawful.

The government described the organisation as entirely fictitious and warned Nigerians to be cautious of individuals falsely claiming links to the Presidency.

Suspect Allegedly Posed as Presidential Appointee

The statement identified Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the principal suspect, alleging that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

Authorities believe the suspect allegedly used forged government documents and fake appointment letters to gain credibility and misrepresent himself as an official representative of the Federal Government.

Forged Documents, Visa Facilitation and Bank Accounts

President Tinubu has instructed the ICPC to investigate several serious allegations connected to the suspected fraud, including:

The production and use of forged appointment letters and other official government documents.

False claims of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation.

The opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged government documents.

The involvement of collaborators and any individuals or organisations connected to the scheme.

The Presidency stated that the investigation will also examine the wider circumstances that allowed the alleged operation to function and determine whether additional individuals played roles in facilitating the activities.

Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency

The directive underscores President Tinubu's commitment to protecting the integrity of government institutions and ensuring that anyone found impersonating public officials or forging government documents is brought to justice.

The ICPC is expected to submit its findings within 30 days, after which appropriate legal action is expected to follow against anyone implicated in the alleged fraud.

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