Pressure is mounting on the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) to summon the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, as part of its ongoing probe into the controversial agency.
The development follows the committee’s directive to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s successor, Olatunji Disu, to produce the alleged promoter of the non-existent agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi, before lawmakers by noon on Wednesday.
According to The PUNCH, the committee has already questioned several senior government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, Budget Office Director-General Tanimu Yakubu, and representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force.
Fresh demands for Gbajabiamila’s appearance emerged after claims that Adeyemi allegedly linked the Chief of Staff to the attempted establishment of the council. A source familiar with the investigation criticised lawmakers for not questioning police representatives about allegations surrounding the mysterious death of Dolapo Tanimola, who was reportedly mentioned in the case, and the subsequent demolition of a hotel where he allegedly died.
Political analyst Jackson Ojo also faulted the committee for failing to invite Gbajabiamila, arguing that his testimony would help clear the air and strengthen public confidence in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) called on the Chief of Staff to step aside pending the conclusion of investigations. HEDA Chairman, Suraju Olanrewaju, said while there was no concrete evidence directly implicating Gbajabiamila, the Office of the Chief of Staff had failed to adequately protect the Presidency from fraudulent activities. He also urged lawmakers to invite Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to explain his office’s role in the matter.
At Monday’s hearing, police representative ACP Bashir Abdullahi told lawmakers that Adeyemi was already facing an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court and cautioned the committee against actions that could prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings.
Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi insisted that Adeyemi’s appearance was essential because of the serious allegations involving senior government officials and key public institutions.
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.
According to investigators, Adeyemi allegedly used forged documents to obtain office accommodation, seek approval to recruit about 300 personnel, pursue a ₦1.32bn budget allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act and plan a World Investment Summit for the non-existent agency.
The committee further revealed it had identified about 29 allegedly forged documents, including fake presidential approvals, counterfeit Acts of the National Assembly and forged correspondence purportedly issued by the State House and other government institutions.
Accountant-General Ogunjimi disclosed that his office unknowingly processed requests linked to the purported council after receiving what appeared to be an authentic State House letter. However, he stressed that no public funds were released to the council and that a request for a ₦27.4bn establishment grant was rejected because there was no budgetary provision.
The committee is expected to continue its investigation on Wednesday when Adeyemi appears before lawmakers, after which recommendations for administrative, legislative and possible criminal action are expected.
