Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe As Fake Presidential Council Scandal Rocks Villa

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into a shadowy outfit calling itself the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body the presidency insists has no legal existence whatsoever.

The directive was disclosed on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Tinubu wants the ICPC to wrap up its findings and submit a full report within 30 days.

At the centre of the scandal is one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly paraded himself as Director-General of the fictitious council and claimed, falsely, to hold a presidential appointment. Investigators are expected to dig into allegations that forged appointment letters and other fake government documents were used to court official recognition, including efforts to secure visa facilitation and diplomatic support.

The probe will also examine claims that multiple bank accounts were opened in the name of the bogus agency using forged paperwork, with the ICPC tasked with tracing the source and movement of any funds linked to the scheme.
Beyond the conduct of Matthew and any collaborators, Tinubu wants investigators to unearth the systemic loopholes that allowed a non-existent government body to masquerade as legitimate. The ICPC has been directed to trace how the group may have sought official or diplomatic backing, and to identify any public officials, financial institutions, or intermediaries who may have knowingly or unknowingly aided the racket.

All federal ministries, departments and agencies have been ordered to cooperate fully with the ICPC, providing any records or assistance needed to speed up the investigation.

The presidency stressed that safeguarding the integrity of Aso Rock and other federal institutions from impersonation and identity abuse remains non-negotiable, warning that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.