Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe of Fake Presidential Council

By Emmanuel Kwada

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the Federal Government says is a fictitious body with no legal backing.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the investigation was prompted by the discovery that the council was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, executive approval, presidential directive, or official government instrument.

The President directed the anti-corruption agency to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit its findings within 30 days.

At the centre of the investigation is Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

The ICPC has been tasked with investigating allegations that forged appointment letters and other official government documents were used to create the impression that the organisation was legitimate. Investigators will also examine claims that the false presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition, diplomatic support, and visa facilitation.

In addition, the commission will probe the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of supposed government agencies using forged documents, as well as the movement and source of any funds linked to the scheme.

President Tinubu said the investigation should not be limited to the principal suspect and his associates but should also uncover any broader network or institutional lapses that allowed the alleged operation to gain an appearance of official legitimacy.

The probe will further examine whether any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries, or organisations played a role in facilitating or enabling the activities of the alleged fraudulent council.

The President also instructed the ICPC to identify weaknesses within government systems that may have been exploited and recommend urgent reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

To ensure a swift investigation, all federal ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing relevant records, information, and support whenever requested.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountability and institutional integrity, Tinubu stressed that the Presidency and government institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery, and the misuse of official identities.

He further directed that anyone found culpable in the matter should face the full weight of the law.

The investigation is expected to shed light on how the alleged fake council operated and whether additional individuals or institutions were involved in the scheme.