President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into a man accused of falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee and operating a fictitious government agency.
According to a report by AriseNews, the President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report detailing its findings.
The directive followed the discovery of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body the Federal Government said was never established and has no legal backing under any law, executive approval, presidential directive or official government instrument.
According to the Presidency, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council while claiming to have been appointed by President Tinubu.
The Presidency said the ICPC has been mandated to investigate the alleged impersonation and determine the extent of activities carried out under the guise of the fake government agency.
Among the issues to be examined are the alleged use of forged appointment letters and other official government documents, the false claim of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies.
President Tinubu also instructed the ICPC to investigate not only the activities of the principal suspect but also the roles played by any collaborators who may have participated in or facilitated the alleged scheme.
According to the directive, investigators are expected to determine how a fictitious government body allegedly gained an appearance of legitimacy and whether any public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals aided its operations.
The probe will also examine the origin and use of the alleged forged government documents, the procedures through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, and the opening and operation of any related bank accounts.
The anti-corruption agency is further expected to trace the source and movement of funds connected to the alleged activities and identify any institutional loopholes that may have enabled the operation of the fake council.
President Tinubu stressed that the investigation should recommend measures to strengthen government procedures and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Presidency said the probe forms part of the administration’s commitment to protecting the integrity of public institutions and ensuring that individuals who falsely claim government authority are brought to justice.