The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the alleged inclusion of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the Federal Government’s budget has cleared the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of any involvement in the activities of the organisation.
The committee said its preliminary investigation found no evidence that Gbajabiamila authorised, established or participated in the activities of the purported council.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed this yesterday while presenting the panel’s preliminary findings at a press briefing televised by TVC.
According to the committee, evidence before it showed that Gbajabiamila took steps to alert relevant security and investigative agencies after concerns were raised about the organisation.
The lawmakers said the concerns were initially brought to the attention of the Chief of Staff by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission over suspected fraudulent activities and alleged misuse of institutional materials.
The committee said Gbajabiamila responded within a day by contacting the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It added that he also directed administrative verification through relevant government institutions.
The panel further said the Chief of Staff subsequently sent additional communications requesting investigations and appropriate action when fresh concerns emerged, including those relating to a proposed world investment summit.
The committee stated: “The documentary evidence presently before the Committee does not establish that the Chief of Staff authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported organisation.
“On the contrary, the evidence demonstrates repeated steps to secure investigation, institutional verification and appropriate administrative action.”
Consequently, the lawmakers commended Gbajabiamila, on a preliminary basis, for the security and administrative measures he took whenever the matter was brought to his attention.
The committee, however, established that a letter purportedly appointing Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi as Director-General of the organisation was forged and falsely attributed to the Presidency.
The document, which purportedly carried Gbajabiamila’s authority and signature, was not issued or approved by the Presidency, the panel said.
According to the lawmakers, records from the State House showed that Gbajabiamila neither issued nor signed the appointment letter.
The panel also found that the letterhead used was not an authentic State House letterhead, while its reference number did not conform to the official referencing system.
The committee further rejected documents presented as a Presidential Executive Order and an Act of the National Assembly purportedly establishing the organisation.
It said the document described as Executive Order No. 5, dated February 24, 2026, was neither issued nor approved through the lawful processes of the Presidency.
Similarly, the purported Act was never passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, assented to by the President or gazetted as an Act of the Federation.
The lawmakers said part of an instrument belonging to another institution appeared to have been electronically altered, mutilated or substituted to create the impression that the National Assembly had established the purported council.
The committee consequently said its investigation had found no valid law, executive order, administrative instrument or other lawful authority establishing an institution known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
It also disclosed that preliminary financial information had linked about 58 bank accounts to identifying details associated with Adeyemi.
The controversy followed the appearance of the purported PFIPC, allegedly headed by Adeyemi, in Nigeria’s 2026 Federal Government budget despite questions over its legal status.
Adeyemi had presented himself as the council’s Director-General and allegedly claimed that he was appointed by Gbajabiamila. He was also alleged to have made claims concerning funds and the operations of the organisation.
Gbajabiamila denied any involvement, prompting further questions over how the purported agency secured a budgetary allocation and operated within government structures.
The investigation into the organisation also comes amid concerns over the emergence of other purported government bodies operating without lawful authority.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had earlier uncovered another alleged fake government agency, the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office.
