PFIPC: Tinubu gives ICPC 30 days to uncover fake Presidential Agency

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the ICPC to investigate the doings of the supposed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) as well as all issues relating to it.

This instruction is included in a press statement which was released on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga who is the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

In the press statement, it was stated that the President asked for an investigation to be completed and a full report to be provided within 30 days.

It should be noted that the decision was made after it became known that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was a fake organization and was never set up by the Federal Government.

“The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of Government,” the statement said.

The Presidency alleged that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

Among the issues listed for investigation are the alleged forgery of appointment letters and official government documents, the use of false claims 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 statement explained that the investigation would go beyond the principal suspect to examine the wider circumstances surrounding the alleged scheme.

According to the Presidency, the ICPC has been directed to investigate the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the role played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries connected with the matter.

President Tinubu also instructed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In addition, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant information and assistance required for the investigation.

The Presidency stressed that the integrity of government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent activities.

“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 statement added.

President Tinubu further directed that anyone found culpable should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.