President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), directing the anti-graft agency to submit its report within 30 days.
The President also mandated the Commission to investigate all issues connected with the activities of the purported council, including the alleged use of forged appointment letters and other official government documents.
According to the directive, the ICPC is to probe claims that the suspects falsely presented themselves as presidential appointees to secure official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The investigation will also cover the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.
Tinubu further directed the Commission to investigate not only the activities of the principal suspect and other collaborators but also the circumstances that allowed the fictitious organisation and the false claim of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of legitimacy.
The probe is expected to determine the origin and use of the forged official documents, how official recognition or diplomatic support was allegedly sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, as well as the source and movement of any funds linked to the alleged scheme.
The President also ordered the ICPC to investigate the role of any public official, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or organisation that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged fraud.
In addition, Tinubu directed the anti-corruption agency to identify loopholes in government and institutional processes that may have been exploited by the suspects and recommend urgent measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
The Commission is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the President within 30 days.
