The Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), and submit its findings within 30 days.
Penpushing reports that the president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement emphasizing that the organisation was never established by the Nigerian government and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of government.
The statement declared that the President directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law,, stressing that he (Tinubu) directed the agency to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as the use of the purported presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation.
Penpushing also reports that he added that Tinubu ordered the commission to examine the wider circumstances that enabled a fictitious government body and a false claim of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of legitimacy.
The statement, said the investigation will examine the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other entity that may have facilitated or participated in the alleged activities.
“Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents’, Onanuga wrote.
Penpushing reports that he stated that the President directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government to provide the agency with all relevant records and assistance required to complete the investigation promptly.
“President Tinubu stated that the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service’, he added.
Penpushing further reports that it would be recalled that Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclaimed the agency and its purported Director General , Adeniyi Adyeyemi, resulting in the controversy that rocked the highest hierarchy of Nigeria’s public service.
The police have investigated Adeyemi and charged him to court, where he faces an eight-count charge bordering on forgery and impersonation, however, Adeyemi maintained that he is innocent and accused Gbajabiamila of falsehood
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