President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as an entity unknown to the Federal Government.
The directive was conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the anti-graft agency had been mandated to conclude its investigation and submit its findings to the Presidency within 30 days.
According to the Presidency, the investigation became necessary after it was established that the so-called council had no legal foundation or official recognition within 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 Presidency alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely held himself out as the Director-General of the council and claimed to have been appointed by the President.
It said the ICPC’s investigation would cover a range of allegations, including the alleged production and use of forged government documents, the presentation of a false presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic assistance, including visa facilitation, as well as the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of government agencies using fraudulent documentation.
Among the matters listed for investigation are “the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.”
The statement added that the President’s directive extends beyond the activities of the principal suspect to include everyone who may have played a role in 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 commission to identify any loopholes within government systems that may have been exploited and recommend reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
In addition, he directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the investigation by making available any relevant information or support required by the ICPC.
Emphasising the importance of protecting the credibility of public institutions, the Presidency said, “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 President further ordered “that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.”
The directive follows allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew during a press conference on June 25. Adeyemi, who is currently facing criminal charges over his alleged involvement in operating what the Presidency describes as a fictitious council, accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding 48 per cent of the council’s purported N27.4 billion take-off grant, an amount he estimated at about N12.5 billion.
He also alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through proxies in relation to appointments connected with the entity, abused his office, intimidated individuals and media organisations, manipulated budgetary processes, attempted to deploy security agencies for improper purposes and participated in efforts to conceal the alleged activities.
Gbajabiamila has since rejected all the allegations. Through his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, he maintained that he had never met or communicated with Adeyemi and warned that he would institute a N10 billion defamation suit over allegations linking him to bribery, murder and other criminal offences.
(Ripples)
