Fake Presidential Council: Tinubu Wades In, Orders Probe

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing the body as fictitious and lacking any legal recognition.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the anti-graft agency has been given 30 days to complete its investigation and submit a comprehensive report.

According to the Presidency, the purported council was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal foundation, executive approval, presidential directive or any other lawful government authorization.

The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation while claiming to be a presidential appointee.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as claims that the fake presidential appointment was used to secure official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.

The commission is also expected to investigate allegations that multiple bank accounts were opened in the names of non-existent government agencies using suspected forged documents.

In addition, the President ordered the anti-corruption agency to identify and investigate any other individuals who may have collaborated in the alleged scheme and determine how the fictitious organisation was able to operate with an appearance of legitimacy.

The investigation will further examine the origin and use of the suspected forged documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the operation of the related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the roles of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries linked to the matter.

Tinubu also instructed the commission to identify loopholes in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The President further directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records and information required for the investigation.

Reaffirming his administration's commitment to protecting the integrity of government institutions, President Tinubu stressed that the Presidency must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity, warning that anyone found culpable should face prosecution in accordance with the law.