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 (PFIPC) and everyone connected to it.
The directive was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The President instructed the anti-graft agency to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
According to the Presidency, the order followed findings that the PFIPC was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal backing through any law, executive approval, presidential directive or official government instrument. The statement said the body does not exist within the structure of the Federal Government.
The Presidency alleged that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely claimed to be the Director-General of the council and presented himself as a presidential appointee.
Investigators have been asked to examine allegations involving forged appointment letters and other government documents, claims of presidential appointments used to obtain official recognition and diplomatic assistance, including visa support, and the opening of several bank accounts in the names of supposed government agencies with allegedly forged documents.
The investigation will also cover the origin and use of the alleged fake documents, how official recognition or diplomatic support may have been obtained, the operation of related bank accounts, the movement and source of funds linked to the matter, and the involvement of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or other parties suspected of assisting the scheme.
President Tinubu also directed the ICPC to identify loopholes within government procedures that may have made the alleged activities possible and recommend measures to stop similar incidents in the future. He instructed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the commission by providing any information or assistance required during the investigation.
The Presidency said the action is aimed at protecting the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions against impersonation, forgery, misuse of official identity and abuse of public office. It also directed that anyone found responsible should face the full weight of the law.
The investigation follows allegations made on June 25 by Adeyemi, who is already facing criminal charges over his alleged involvement in operating the council. During a press conference, he accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding 48 per cent of the council’s claimed ₦27.4 billion take-off grant, amounting to about ₦12.5 billion.
Adeyemi also alleged that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through proxies linked to appointments associated with the council, abused his office, intimidated individuals and media organisations, manipulated budget processes, attempted to use security agencies for personal interests and took part in a cover-up.
Gbajabiamila has denied all the allegations through his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro. He maintained that he has never met or had any dealings with Adeyemi and has threatened to file a ₦10 billion defamation suit over the accusations, which include claims of bribery, murder and other criminal acts.