President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to launch a full-scale investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and every matter connected to it.
The Punch reported that the directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the President instructed the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
The Presidency explained that the order followed the discovery that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was not a legitimate government body and had never been established by the Federal Government.
“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 statement further alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely claimed to be the council’s Director-General and presented himself as a presidential appointee.
It noted that the investigation would cover several issues, including forged appointment letters and other official documents, the alleged use of a fake presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support such as visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using suspected forged documents.
According to the Presidency, the probe will extend beyond the principal suspect to include his associates and the wider circumstances that may have enabled the alleged operation.
“The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme,” it stated.
President Tinubu also instructed the ICPC to identify any loopholes within government systems that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In addition, he directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the commission by providing every relevant document and assistance required for the investigation.
“The integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service,” the statement stated.
The President further ordered “that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.”
The directive comes weeks after Adeyemi, who is facing criminal charges over his alleged involvement in operating the council, which the Presidency insists is fictitious, accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a June 25 press conference of demanding a 48 per cent share of the council’s alleged ₦27.4 billion take-off grant, estimated at about ₦12.5 billion.
Adeyemi also alleged that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through proxies in connection with appointments linked to the entity, abused his office, intimidated individuals and media organisations, manipulated budget processes, attempted to misuse security agencies and participated in a cover-up.
However, Gbajabiamila, through his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, dismissed the allegations, insisting he had never had any dealings with Adeyemi. He also threatened a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit over allegations linking him to bribery, murder and other criminal offences.
