PFIPC Probe: Reps to Grill Accountant-General Over N1.32bn Budget Today

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council is expected to question the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, today as its probe into the agency enters its third week.
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The committee, chaired by the member representing Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi, is investigating how the council, which the Federal Government has described as non-existent, allegedly secured office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and was allocated over N1.32bn in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The investigation follows concerns over the agency's appearance in official government structures despite questions surrounding its legal status, raising issues about public financial management and institutional oversight.

At the hearing, Ogunjimi is expected to explain how the council obtained a government budget code, a development that paved the way for its inclusion in the national budget.

Lawmakers are also seeking clarification on the financial and administrative procedures that enabled the agency to be integrated into the Federal Government's expenditure framework.

Since the commencement of the investigation, the panel has received testimonies from several senior government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack; the Director of Banking Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abdullahi Hamisu; and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.

Their submissions, according to the committee, highlighted administrative lapses that allegedly allowed the council to obtain official documentation and operate within government circles despite doubts over its legitimacy.

The probe gained further attention after the arrest of Adeyemi Adeniyi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the council. He was arrested by police after reportedly claiming he paid N400m through an intermediary to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to facilitate his appointment.

The Presidency and Gbajabiamila have denied any link to Adeniyi or the allegations, describing him as an impostor and insisting they played no role in the establishment or operation of the purported agency.

The committee is also expected to hear from other top government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

The lawmakers said the investigation is aimed at uncovering any administrative failures or misconduct that enabled the agency's operations, stressing that anyone found culpable would be held accountable in accordance with the law.

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