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 (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious.
The directive, announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, requires the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
According to the Presidency, the PFIPC was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal basis, executive approval or presidential authorisation.
The investigation will focus on allegations that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely claimed to be the council’s Director-General and a presidential appointee.
Investigators have been tasked with examining alleged forged appointment letters and government documents, claims of presidential appointment used to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and the opening of bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The Presidency said the probe will also examine the movement of any funds linked to the alleged scheme and determine whether any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries facilitated or participated in the activities.
In addition, the ICPC has been directed to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have enabled the alleged fraud and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
President Tinubu also instructed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to cooperate fully with the investigation, stressing that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity. He directed that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The directive follows allegations made in June by Adeyemi, who is facing criminal charges over his alleged role in operating the council. During a press conference, he accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding a share of the council’s alleged take-off grant and receiving money through proxies in connection with appointments.
Gbajabiamila, through his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, has denied all the allegations, stating that he has never had any dealings with Adeyemi and has threatened legal action, including a ₦10 billion defamation suit, over the claims.
