By Ahmed Yusuf
National News
Pressure is mounting on the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), with calls for the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to appear before the panel over claims linking him to the controversial agency.
The development comes as the committee directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, through police representatives, to produce the alleged promoter of the agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi, before lawmakers on Wednesday to answer questions arising from the ongoing investigation.
The committee has already heard from several senior government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, Director of Banking Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Hamisu Abdullahi, Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, and an Assistant Commissioner of Police representing the IGP.
Adeyemi, who has reportedly been in police custody for over two weeks, is expected to appear before the panel following the lawmakers’ directive. However, some observers have questioned why Gbajabiamila has not been invited despite allegations that Adeyemi claimed to have acted through intermediaries connected to the Chief of Staff.
A source familiar with the committee’s proceedings criticised lawmakers for failing to seek clarification from the police on claims surrounding the death of an alleged middleman, Dolapo Tanimola, who was reportedly linked to a N400 million transaction allegedly intended for the Chief of Staff. The source also questioned why the committee did not ask police representatives about the reported demolition of a hotel where the witness allegedly died in a fire incident.
Political analyst Jackson Ojo also faulted the committee, arguing that Gbajabiamila should have been invited from the outset to either answer questions or clear his name. According to him, excluding the Chief of Staff from the investigation raises concerns about the panel’s commitment to uncovering the full truth behind the controversy.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) also weighed in on the matter, urging Gbajabiamila to step aside pending the conclusion of investigations. HEDA Chairman, Suraju Olanrewaju, argued that the Office of the Chief of Staff failed to adequately protect the Presidency from fraudulent activities. He also called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to explain his office’s role in the circumstances surrounding the alleged agency.
During Monday’s hearing, the police informed lawmakers that criminal proceedings had already commenced against Adeyemi at the Federal High Court on an eight-count charge. Police representative ACP Bashir Abdullahi cautioned the committee against demanding information that could prejudice ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings.
Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi, however, insisted that Adeyemi’s appearance was essential because of the serious allegations involving public institutions and senior officials. He said the suspect would be required to confirm documents submitted to the committee without interfering with the police investigation.
The committee subsequently resolved that the Inspector-General of Police should ensure Adeyemi’s appearance before lawmakers by noon on Wednesday.
Police investigators also confirmed receiving petitions from the Office of the Chief of Staff alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. Investigators said he allegedly used the purported office to obtain accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, sought approval to recruit about 300 staff, attempted to secure a ₦1.32 billion allocation in the 2026 budget and planned to organise a World Investment Summit under the platform of the non-existent agency.
Lawmakers further revealed that about 29 allegedly forged documents, including fake presidential approvals, counterfeit Acts of the National Assembly and forged correspondence from the State House, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance, had been uncovered during the investigation.
The committee also compared signatures on disputed State House documents with authentic official records obtained by the police. Responding to questions from lawmakers, ACP Abdullahi confirmed that the signatures did not match.
Meanwhile, Accountant-General of the Federation Shamseldeen Ogunjimi told the committee that his office unknowingly processed requests linked to the purported council after receiving what appeared to be genuine correspondence from the State House. He said the Treasury created an administrative code for the agency and processed related requests, including applications for self-accounting status and account openings, but stressed that no public funds were released.
Ogunjimi further disclosed that a request for a ₦27.4 billion establishment grant was rejected because there was no budgetary provision, adding that subsequent investigations established that the State House letter used to initiate the process was forged.
The House committee is expected to continue its investigation on Wednesday with Adeyemi’s appearance before lawmakers, after which it is expected to make recommendations on possible administrative, legislative and criminal actions against those found culpable.
