President Bola Tinubu has directed the ICPC to investigate a fake presidential council and submit a comprehensive report on its findings within 30 days.
The directive was contained in a State House press release issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, after the discovery that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) was never established by the Federal Government.
The Presidency said the council had no legal backing, presidential instrument, executive approval or any lawful authority to operate.
The statement identified Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the individual who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC while falsely claiming to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other government documents linked to the council. The anti-graft agency is also expected to examine claims that the false presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The commission will also investigate the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using documents believed to have been forged.
Beyond the activities of the principal suspect, the President instructed the ICPC to determine how the fictitious body gained an appearance of official legitimacy and identify other individuals or organisations that may have participated in or facilitated the alleged scheme.
The investigation will examine the origin and use of forged official documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds and the roles of any public officers, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries or other entities connected to the matter.
President Tinubu also directed the commission to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
The statement said all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government had been instructed to provide the ICPC with all relevant records, information and assistance required to complete the investigation without delay.
Speaking on the action, the President said the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.
He directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.