Reps Conclude PFIPC Probe Without Gbajabiamila Testimony, Await ICPC Findings

Reps Conclude PFIPC Probe Without Gbajabiamila Testimony, Await ICPC Findings The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council PFIPC has concluded its public hearings without receiving testimony from Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the council’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeyemi Adeniyi. The committee said it would rely on documents obtained during its investigation, along with reports from relevant security agencies, before presenting its preliminary findings to the House. The development followed the committee’s inability to secure the appearance of Adeniyi, who remains in police custody based on an existing court remand order. The Nigeria Police Force told lawmakers that producing him before the committee would not be possible until the court directive was vacated. Gbajabiamila, who has been linked to allegations surrounding the disputed council, was also not invited to testify before the House panel. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, however, has been conducting a separate investigation into the matter after a directive from President Bola Tinubu.

The House investigation has focused on the legal status of PFIPC, how the organisation appeared in government records, its inclusion in the budget, the approval processes surrounding its operations, and allegations of forged documents. Lawmakers said they uncovered 19 suspected forged State House documents during the probe. Appearing before the committee, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, admitted that her office failed to conduct adequate verification of documents submitted by representatives of the council before granting approvals related to staffing. She said subsequent checks revealed irregularities in some of the documents presented. The Central Bank of Nigeria CBN had earlier told the committee that two foreign currency accounts linked to PFIPC were opened following instructions from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation but remained inactive with zero balances. Meanwhile, attention has shifted to the ICPC, which is expected to conclude its investigation and submit its findings following the presidential directive. The anti-corruption agency had earlier requested additional time to complete its inquiry.

The House committee chairman, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, said the panel would proceed with its report based on available evidence and present its preliminary findings after completing its review of the materials before it.