A statement from the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said that President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation after the discovery of an organisation known as the PFIPC. According to the statement, the organisation is not a real government agency. It said the PFIPC was never created by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no legal approval to operate. The government explained that there is no law, executive order, presidential approval, or official document that established the body.
The statement said the government became worried after finding out that some people were claiming to represent the fake organisation. Because of this, President Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a full investigation into the matter. The aim of the investigation is to find out how the fake organisation was able to operate and who was responsible for its activities.
According to the statement, one man identified as Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew introduced himself to government officials and members of the public as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC. He also claimed that he was appointed by the President of Nigeria. However, the government said this claim is completely false because no such appointment was ever made by President Tinubu or any authorised government office.
The statement explained that Matthew allegedly used the false claim of being a presidential appointee to make people believe that the organisation was genuine. This may have helped him gain the trust of individuals, government offices, and even foreign organisations. The government said this false representation is one of the major issues the ICPC has been asked to investigate.
Another important part of the investigation will focus on documents that were allegedly forged. According to the statement, investigators will examine appointment letters and other official government papers that were reportedly created to make the fake organisation appear legal. These documents may have been used to convince people that the PFIPC had official approval from the Federal Government.
The ICPC will also investigate claims that the fake presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition and support from government institutions. The statement said the false claims may have been used to request assistance, gain access to government offices, and receive diplomatic support. This reportedly included attempts to obtain visa facilitation by pretending to act on behalf of the Federal Government.
The government also raised concerns about bank accounts allegedly opened in the names of government agencies. According to the statement, these accounts may have been created using forged government documents. Investigators will try to determine how the accounts were opened, who authorised them, and whether any money was received or moved through them. The government believes this part of the investigation is very important because it may reveal the full extent of the alleged fraud.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC not to limit its investigation to only Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew. The statement said investigators have also been asked to identify and investigate every other person who may have worked with him. Anyone who helped create fake documents, supported the false claims, or benefited from the activities of the fake organisation will also be examined during the investigation.
The President also wants investigators to find out how a fake government agency was able to appear genuine for some time. According to the statement, the investigation will examine whether weaknesses in government systems or failures by certain officials allowed the organisation to operate without being detected quickly. The findings could help the government strengthen its systems and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The statement stressed that the Federal Government takes matters involving fraud, forgery, and false claims of government authority very seriously. It said no individual has the right to present themselves as a government official or presidential appointee without proper approval. Such actions can damage the image of the government, mislead members of the public, and reduce trust in public institutions.
The government assured Nigerians that the ICPC would carry out a thorough and fair investigation. The commission is expected to gather evidence, question everyone connected to the case, and determine whether any laws were broken. If the investigation finds enough evidence, those responsible could face legal action according to the laws of Nigeria.
The statement also advised members of the public to be careful when dealing with organisations or individuals claiming to represent the Federal Government. It encouraged people to confirm the identity of government agencies and officials before doing business with them or accepting any official-looking documents. This, the government said, will help prevent people from becoming victims of fraud.
According to the statement, protecting the integrity of government institutions remains a priority for the Tinubu administration. The government said it will continue to expose fake organisations and prosecute anyone found guilty of using forged documents or making false claims of government authority.
The investigation is expected to uncover how the alleged fake PFIPC operated, who supported its activities, and whether other people were affected by its actions. The government believes that finding the truth will help restore public confidence and ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.
In the end, President Tinubu’s directive shows the government’s determination to protect the credibility of public offices and ensure that nobody takes advantage of the name of the Presidency for personal gain. The ICPC has now been given the responsibility to investigate every aspect of the case, identify everyone involved, and recommend the appropriate legal action where necessary. The government said it will continue to cooperate with the commission until the investigation is completed and justice is served.
