…‘Unearth the Truth, Spare No One,’ President Tells ICPC
…Fake Presidency Agency, Alleged Forgery, Bank Accounts Now Under Searchlight
By Peter Salami
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a sweeping investigation into the alleged fake “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC), demanding that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) unravel what has been dubbed the “Gbajabiamila-gate” scandal within 30 days.
In what is seen as a decisive move to protect the integrity of the Presidency, the President directed the anti-graft agency to leave no stone unturned and submit a comprehensive report directly to him within one month.
The order followed the shocking discovery that the purported PFIPC, which allegedly operated under the imprimatur of the Presidency, was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal foundation, presidential approval, or executive authority.
The Presidency identified one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as the alleged mastermind of the scheme, accusing him of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the fictitious council while claiming to be a presidential appointee.
A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the ICPC had been mandated to investigate forged appointment letters and other fake government documents allegedly used to confer legitimacy on the non-existent agency.
The Commission will also probe allegations that the bogus presidential appointment was used to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
President Tinubu further directed investigators to expose everyone connected with the alleged fraud, including collaborators within and outside government, financial institutions, intermediaries, and any public officials who may have facilitated or enabled the operation.
The investigation will also trace the source and movement of funds linked to the alleged scheme and determine how a fake government body was able to project itself as an official arm of the Presidency.
The President ordered the ICPC to identify loopholes in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend urgent measures to prevent a recurrence.
To fast-track the probe, all ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to provide the Commission with every document, record, and assistance required for the investigation.
Tinubu declared that the integrity of the Presidency must be protected from impersonation, forgery, and abuse of official identity, insisting that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
The Presidency said the ICPC is expected to conclude its investigation and report back to the President within 30 days.