President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the activities of the so called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing it as a fictitious body with no legal backing or presidential approval.
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. The President also ordered the anti corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to the statement, the Federal Government never established the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, and the body has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval or any other lawful act of government.
The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director General of the organisation and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
Among the issues listed for investigation are the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The President also directed the commission to investigate the activities of the principal suspect and other collaborators, as well as determine how the fictitious body was able to create an appearance of official legitimacy.
The statement added that investigators would examine the origin and use of false official documents, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution or intermediary that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
Tinubu further directed the commission to identify loopholes in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences.
He also ordered all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to provide the ICPC with all relevant information and assistance required for the speedy completion of the investigation.
“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,” the President said.
