Tinubu orders probe into fake presidential council

President Bola Tinubu has launched a swift investigation into an alleged fraudulent scheme involving a fake "Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council" (PFIPC). The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been given 30 days to complete its probe and report back to the president.

The directive follows the discovery that the PFIPC was never officially established by the Nigerian government and lacks any legal basis. An individual, identified as Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, reportedly presented himself as the Director-General of this non-existent council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

Key aspects of the investigation will include examining forged appointment letters and other government documents. The ICPC will also look into how false claims of presidential appointment were used to seek official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation. Furthermore, the probe will scrutinize the opening of multiple bank accounts under the names of purported government agencies, allegedly using forged documents.

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One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

President Tinubu emphasized the need to investigate not only the primary individual and any collaborators but also the broader circumstances that allowed the fictitious body and false claims to gain an appearance of legitimacy. The investigation is to delve into the origin and use of false documents, the processes for seeking official recognition, the operation of related bank accounts, fund movements, and the roles of any public officers, private individuals, or entities that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.

The president also directed the ICPC to identify procedural weaknesses within government and institutions that were exploited and to recommend measures to prevent future abuses. All ministries, departments, and agencies are instructed to provide necessary information and assistance. Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the presidency and government institutions must be shielded from impersonation, forgery, and abuse.

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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.