By Kofoworola Fakeye, JKNewsMedia Reporter
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and all related matters.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the President ordered the Commission to conclude the investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
The directive followed the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which the Presidency said was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval or other lawful act of government.
FG says one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director General of the so-called council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
A statement issued on July 7 by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the investigation would be expected to uncover forged appointment letters and other official government documents.
It will also examine the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or 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 also directed the ICPC to investigate the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved, alongside the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.
Furthermore, the investigation will 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.
The President also directed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that all ministries, departments and agencies of the FG have expressly been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.
President Tinubu said the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the FG must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.
He also declared that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.
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