President Bola Tinubu has directed 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).
In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the President instructed the anti-corruption agency to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
The directive follows weeks of controversy surrounding the PFIPC and its convener, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
In June, the Presidency publicly disowned the organisation, stating that the PFIPC is not recognised by the current administration. At the time, the Office of the Chief of Staff also denied appointing Adeyemi to any official position linked to the council.
Despite the denial, Adeyemi later challenged the disclaimer during a press conference held on June 26.
The dispute escalated further on July 7 when Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila threatened Adeyemi with a N10 billion defamation lawsuit over allegations involving murder and bribery.
Explaining the President’s latest directive, the Presidency stated that the PFIPC “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.”
According to the statement, the ICPC has been directed to investigate allegations involving forged appointment letters and other government documents, claims of presidential appointments allegedly used to obtain official recognition and diplomatic assistance, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The Presidency added, “President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.”
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It further stated, “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.”
Beyond identifying those involved, the ICPC has also been asked to review any weaknesses in government procedures that may have allowed the alleged activities to occur and recommend immediate safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Presidency also directed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing any information, documents or assistance required to ensure the investigation is concluded within the stipulated period.