President Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe into Fictitious Foreign Intervention Council

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch an immediate investigation into the operations of a fraudulent entity known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The directive, announced on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, follows the discovery that the council is entirely fictitious. According to the Presidency, the organization was never established by the Federal Government and possesses no legal standing or presidential authorization.

The investigation is focused on a principal suspect, identified as Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who has allegedly been posing as the Director-General of the council and claiming to hold a presidential appointment. The ICPC has been tasked with uncovering the extent of the fraud, which reportedly includes the use of forged appointment letters, the falsification of official government documents, and the unauthorized opening of bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies.

The President’s mandate is broad, requiring the anti-graft agency to examine how the scheme was enabled, identifying any public officials, financial institutions, or intermediaries who may have facilitated the activities. The ICPC has been given a 30-day deadline to conclude its probe and submit a comprehensive report.

The investigation also comes in the wake of public allegations made by the suspect, Adeyemi, against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. During a June 25 press conference, Adeyemi accused Gbajabiamila of demanding a significant share of a purported ₦27.4 billion take-off grant and engaging in other acts of official misconduct.

Gbajabiamila has categorically denied all allegations, describing them as baseless. Through his legal counsel, he has labeled the claims as defamatory and initiated legal action to protect his reputation.

President Tinubu emphasized that the integrity of the Presidency must be protected against impersonation and forgery. He has instructed all ministries, departments, and agencies to provide full cooperation to the ICPC, stating that all individuals found culpable must be prosecuted in accordance with the law.