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 it as a fictitious body with no legal backing.
The directive was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement issued by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the anti-graft agency had been given 30 days to conclude the investigation and submit its report.
According to the Presidency, the so-called council was never established by the Federal Government and has no foundation in any law, executive approval, presidential directive or other lawful government instrument.
The statement identified one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the individual who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation while falsely claiming to be a presidential appointee.
Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other government documents, the use of the purported presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of non-existent government agencies using suspected forged documents.
The President also ordered the commission to investigate other individuals who may have collaborated in the alleged scheme and determine how the fictitious body was able to project an appearance of legitimacy.
According to the statement, the investigation will also examine the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the roles played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries connected with the matter.
Tinubu further directed the anti-corruption agency to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He also instructed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the commission by providing all relevant records and information required to facilitate the investigation.
The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity, adding that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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