President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing the body as fictitious and unauthorised by the Federal Government.
The President also ordered the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report, saying those found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the decision followed the discovery that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was never established by the Federal Government and had no legal backing, presidential approval or executive authorisation.
The Presidency alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents linked to the group.
The probe will also cover allegations that the false claim of presidential appointment was used to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The President further instructed the commission to investigate not only the activities of the principal suspect and his alleged collaborators but also the circumstances that enabled the fictitious body to gain an appearance of legitimacy.
According to the statement, investigators are expected to examine the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of any funds involved, and the role of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries connected to the alleged scheme.
Tinubu also directed the commission to identify institutional weaknesses that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
To facilitate the investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the ICPC with all relevant records, information and assistance required upon lawful request.
The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and other fraudulent activities capable of undermining public confidence.
He also directed that anyone found culpable at the end of the investigation should be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.
