BREAKING: Tinubu orders ICPC to probe alleged PFIPC fraud, submit report in 30 days

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), ordering the anti-graft agency to conclude its probe and submit a report within 30 days.

The directive, announced on Tuesday in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, followed what the Presidency described as the discovery that the PFIPC was never legally established by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to the Presidency, investigations revealed that the organisation has “no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval or any other lawful act of government,” raising serious concerns over alleged impersonation, forgery and abuse of official government identity.

The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation and claimed to be a presidential appointee despite lacking any legal authority to hold such a position.

As part of the investigation, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to examine allegations bordering on the forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents allegedly used to portray the organisation as a legitimate federal institution.

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The Commission is also expected to investigate claims that the alleged false presidential appointment was used to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation from government institutions and foreign missions.

In addition, the anti-corruption agency will probe the opening and operation of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

According to the Presidency, the investigation will go beyond document forgery to uncover the full scope of the alleged operation.

The ICPC has been mandated to determine the origin and use of the alleged forged official documents, establish how official recognition or diplomatic support may have been obtained, trace the opening and operation of bank accounts linked to the organisation, and investigate the source and movement of any funds connected to the alleged scheme.

The Commission is also expected to identify the roles played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries or other entities that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged activities.

President Tinubu further directed investigators to examine the circumstances that allowed the purported organisation and the alleged false claim of presidential appointment to appear credible to members of the public and government institutions.

The Presidency said the investigation should identify institutional loopholes or procedural weaknesses that may have been exploited and recommend reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

To ensure a thorough investigation, all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been instructed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records, documents and other information whenever lawfully requested.

President Tinubu stressed that protecting the credibility and integrity of the Presidency and other government institutions remains a top priority.

“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,” the President said.

He also directed that all persons found culpable after the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

The directive comes amid heightened scrutiny over the alleged activities of the purported organisation and signals the administration’s determination to safeguard government institutions from fraudulent representations and abuse of public trust.

The ICPC is expected to submit its findings to the Presidency within the stipulated 30-day period, after which appropriate administrative, civil or criminal actions may be taken against anyone found to have violated the law.

BREAKING: Tinubu orders ICPC to probe alleged PFIPC fraud, submit report in 30 days

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements, court order breach

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of making false statements and facilitating what the anti-graft agency described as a violation of a court-approved medical visit.

The Commission disclosed that Professor Abubakar was taken into custody on Tuesday following a visit to the National Hospital, Abuja, which it said was approved solely for El-Rufai to receive medical attention while in ICPC custody.

According to a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, the ICPC granted El-Rufai’s request for medical consultation in compliance with an order of the Kaduna State High Court and in line with its statutory obligation to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of persons in its custody.

The anti-graft agency explained that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges pending against the former governor.

However, on the first day of hearing, El-Rufai did not appear in court. According to the prosecution, when ICPC officers arrived to escort him to the courtroom, he declined to leave, insisting that he wanted to consult his personal physician.

The Commission further claimed that no prior request had been made for the medical consultation. It also alleged that when questioned by the Commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but stated that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he see Professor Abubakar.

Following arguments by both parties, the court adjourned further proceedings until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a pending petition requesting that the case be transferred to another judge.

Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it facilitated the former governor’s visit to the private wing of the National Hospital under strict security arrangements.

According to the Commission, its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family while he was purportedly being examined by his attending physician.

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However, the anti-graft agency said the visit took an unexpected turn after photographs allegedly showing El-Rufai meeting with political associates surfaced on social media.

The ICPC said one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, posted photographs on Facebook at about 2:00 p.m., claiming they had just concluded a meeting with the former governor.

According to the Commission, the photographs showed El-Rufai alongside Professor Abubakar, Isa Ashiru Kudan and three other individuals inside the hospital at a time when the visit was expected to be strictly for medical consultation.

The Commission alleged that the meeting exceeded the scope of the court-approved hospital visit and constituted a violation of the court’s order.

“The images and post indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement said.

The ICPC further stated that it had exercised patience, professionalism and courtesy in handling El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody but alleged that such courtesies had been abused.

It added that it would formally draw what it described as El-Rufai’s “flagrant disobedience of court orders” to the attention of the court.

The Commission also announced the arrest of Professor Abubakar, alleging that he made false statements during the course of the hospital visit. It said the physician remains in custody while investigations continue.

“The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted,” the Commission said, adding that it would not tolerate the abuse of its goodwill by any individual or group.

The latest development marks another twist in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the former Kaduna governor. As of the time of filing this report, Nasir El-Rufai, Professor Bello Abubakar, and their legal representatives had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the ICPC.

It remains unclear whether the Commission will file additional charges arising from the alleged breach of the court-approved medical visit. The case is expected to return to the Kaduna State High Court on July 15, when the court will consider the pending applications and determine the next stage of the trial.

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements, court order breach

Army detains surrendered terrorist kingpins in Borno

The Nigerian Army has recorded a major breakthrough in its counter-insurgency campaign after two senior terrorist commanders voluntarily surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State, providing valuable intelligence expected to strengthen ongoing military operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East.

Military authorities described the surrender as another significant setback for terrorist groups operating in the region, saying the information obtained from the suspects is already helping security forces identify operational cells, logistics routes and remaining insurgent hideouts.

The development was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the two commanders—identified as Munzirs, a senior rank within the terrorist hierarchy—surrendered to troops of Sector 2 in Geidam, Yobe State, on July 4, 2026. They were subsequently transferred to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on July 5, where they are currently in military custody undergoing extensive screening and interrogation.

The military disclosed that the surrendered commanders are undergoing comprehensive profiling, debriefing and intelligence exploitation as part of efforts to obtain strategic information that could accelerate the fight against terrorism.

According to the Army, preliminary interrogation indicates that the two suspects occupied influential leadership positions within the terrorist organisation and possess extensive knowledge of its command structure, operational strategies, logistics network and support systems.

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Military authorities said intelligence already extracted from the suspects has provided critical insights into how the group sustains its operations, moves personnel and weapons, and coordinates attacks across the North-East.

The Army believes the intelligence will significantly improve ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at locating, disrupting and dismantling the remaining terrorist enclaves operating across the region.

The military described the surrender as another indication that sustained military offensives are weakening terrorist organisations and forcing their leaders to abandon the insurgency.

According to the statement, coordinated land and air operations conducted by Operation HADIN KAI, supported by improved surveillance and intelligence gathering, have continued to restrict the movement of insurgents, destroy logistics bases, eliminate command structures and reduce their operational capacity.

The Army noted that increasing pressure from troops has made it difficult for many terrorist fighters and commanders to remain on the battlefield, compelling them to surrender.

“The latest surrender further reinforces the growing disintegration of the terrorist organisation,” the statement said.

Military officials added that sustained offensives have continued to deny terrorists freedom of movement while disrupting their ability to recruit fighters, transport weapons and launch coordinated attacks.

The surrender of the two senior commanders follows a series of similar developments recorded by the military in recent months.

Only days earlier, Operation HADIN KAI announced that more than 76 suspected ISWAP fighters, alongside members of their families, voluntarily surrendered following sustained military offensives across parts of the North-East.

The military attributed the growing wave of defections to relentless air strikes, coordinated ground assaults and intelligence-driven operations that have destroyed terrorist camps, disrupted supply routes and isolated several insurgent leaders.

Security analysts say the surrender of senior commanders is particularly significant because they often possess strategic information capable of exposing hidden camps, financing networks, recruitment channels and planned attacks.

Counter-insurgency experts have repeatedly emphasised that intelligence obtained directly from surrendered commanders provides information that cannot always be gathered through aerial surveillance or electronic monitoring.

Military sources believe the intelligence obtained from the latest surrender will help security agencies identify remaining terrorist strongholds, recover illegal weapons and rescue civilians still held captive in remote camps.

The information may also assist troops in preventing future attacks by exposing operational plans and identifying collaborators supporting insurgent activities.

Despite recording significant gains, the Nigerian military insists that operations against terrorist groups remain ongoing.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the current operational tempo until all terrorist networks operating across the North-East are dismantled.

The military said troops will continue to leverage actionable intelligence, intensify offensive operations and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies and relevant partners to restore lasting peace, security and stability in the region.

The latest development adds to a series of operational successes recorded in recent months, including the rescue of kidnapped civilians, the destruction of terrorist camps, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the surrender of dozens of insurgents.

Although security experts acknowledge the progress made by the armed forces, they caution that lasting peace will require sustained military operations, strengthened border security, effective intelligence sharing, community engagement and post-conflict stabilisation programmes to prevent terrorist groups from regrouping.

The Federal Government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism and restoring normalcy across Nigeria’s North-East, maintaining that military operations will continue until all remaining terrorist cells are dismantled and displaced communities can safely return to their homes.

Army detains surrendered terrorist kingpins in Borno