PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.
News Point Nigeria reports that the directive was conveyed in a State House press release issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President ordered that the investigation be concluded within 30 days, with a comprehensive report submitted directly to him.
According to the Presidency, the directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no foundation in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval or any other lawful act of government.
The statement disclosed that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council and falsely claimed to have been appointed by the President.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations surrounding forged appointment letters and other official government documents allegedly used by the suspects. The Commission is also expected to examine claims that the fake presidential appointment was used to seek or obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The investigation will further cover the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
Beyond the activities of the principal suspect, the President ordered the anti-corruption agency to investigate all collaborators involved and the broader circumstances that may have enabled the fictitious council and the false claim of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of legitimacy.
The ICPC is expected to determine the origin and use of the forged official documents, review the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, and examine the opening and operation of any related bank accounts.
The Commission will also investigate the source and movement of any funds linked to the alleged scheme and determine the involvement of any public officers, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries or other persons or entities that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the activities.
President Tinubu further directed the ICPC to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar abuses in the future.
To ensure a speedy investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the Commission, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the successful completion of the probe.
The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and all institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses within the public service.
He also directed that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.