President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing it as a body with no legal backing.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the anti-graft agency has been given 30 days to conclude its investigation and submit a detailed report.
The Presidency maintained that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal foundation under any law, executive approval or presidential directive.
It also alleged that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely claimed to be the Director-General of the organisation and presented himself as a presidential appointee.
The ICPC has been directed to investigate allegations of forged appointment letters and other official documents, claims of presidential appointments used to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts allegedly linked to fictitious government agencies.
The commission will also investigate the activities of the principal suspect and other collaborators, trace the movement of funds, examine the role of public officials, financial institutions and other individuals who may have facilitated the alleged scheme, and identify any loopholes exploited in the process.
President Tinubu also instructed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records needed to speed up the investigation.
The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and public institutions must be protected against forgery, impersonation and abuse of official identity, adding that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
Meanwhile, the Senate has said it will not intervene in the controversy for now, noting that no petition has been submitted before the Red Chamber.
Speaking after Tuesday’s plenary, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the matter remains within the executive arm of government and is also already before the court.
“If a petition is sent to the Senate by any of the feuding parties or any concerned Nigerian… it will be looked into legislatively,” Adaramodu said.
The PFIPC controversy has generated national attention following allegations of forged government documents, disputed appointments and financial impropriety, with investigations already involving multiple security agencies.
