President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.
The directive was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
The Presidency said preliminary findings showed that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing.
“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 read.
The Presidency alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation and claimed to have been appointed by the President.
According to the statement, investigators are expected to examine allegations involving forged appointment letters, fake government documents and the use of false presidential credentials to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation.
The investigation will also focus on the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documentation.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to identify not only the actions of the principal suspect and any collaborators but also the circumstances that allowed the fake organisation to appear legitimate.
The probe will examine the origin and use of fraudulent official documents, the process through which recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds and the possible involvement of public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals who may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
The President further instructed the commission to identify loopholes within government institutions and administrative procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend reforms that would prevent similar incidents in the future.
To support the investigation, all federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant documents, records and information requested in accordance with the law.
President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery and the misuse of official identities.
He also directed that anyone found culpable after the investigation should face the full weight of the law in accordance with Nigeria’s legal framework.
The development underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional accountability and protecting public institutions from fraudulent activities capable of undermining confidence in government processes.
