PFIPC Scandal: Reps Clear Gbajabiamila as Panel Says Appointment Letter Was Fake

The controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council has taken a new turn after a House of Representatives committee cleared Femi Gbajabiamila of involvement in the organisation.

The House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the matter said its preliminary findings found no evidence that Gbajabiamila authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported agency.

The finding came after the committee examined documents and other evidence relating to the organisation and its purported Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

One of the central documents examined by the panel was a letter allegedly appointing Adeyemi as Director-General of the PFIPC.

The document purportedly carried Gbajabiamila’s authority and signature.

But the committee said evidence from the State House established that the letter was neither issued nor signed by the Chief of Staff.

The panel also said the document was not printed on authentic State House letterhead and carried a reference number inconsistent with the Presidency’s official correspondence system.

The lawmakers therefore found no documentary evidence establishing Gbajabiamila’s involvement in the purported agency.

Instead, the committee said evidence showed that the Chief of Staff responded to concerns by initiating steps aimed at investigating the organisation.

The panel said Gbajabiamila contacted the Nigeria Police Force, Office of the National Security Adviser, DSS and EFCC after receiving an alert from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

He also initiated administrative verification through relevant government institutions.

Further steps were reportedly taken after additional concerns emerged concerning the purported organisation and a proposed World Investment Summit.

The committee commended Gbajabiamila for what it described as timely security and administrative interventions.

However, the clearance of the Chief of Staff does not end the PFIPC investigation.

The committee said its wider probe uncovered significant questions about the purported organisation’s legal status and activities.

It said no valid Act of the National Assembly, gazetted enactment, presidential executive order or other lawful authority had been found establishing the PFIPC.

The investigation was triggered partly by concerns over the organisation’s inclusion in the 2026 federal budget.

The committee said approximately N1.3 billion was allocated to the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council under the Presidency.

It was also mandated to investigate a reported N27.4 billion take-off grant.

The panel said it was still determining whether the reported allocation resulted in any actual financial release.

The committee also said approximately 58 bank accounts were linked through BVN and other identifying details to Adeyemi.

About 39 people were reportedly presented or represented as employees of the purported organisation.

The lawmakers are continuing to examine alleged forged government documents, the organisation’s access to federal structures and the roles played by individuals and institutions.

The committee said the findings released so far are preliminary and do not represent its final report or the final decision of the House.

It has called on relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to conclude their investigations and prosecute anyone against whom sufficient admissible evidence is established.

The final report will determine the responsibilities of individuals and institutions involved in the wider PFIPC controversy.

For now, the House panel’s preliminary finding removes Gbajabiamila from the specific allegation that he authorised or participated in the purported organisation, while the wider PFIPC investigation continues.