The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) is facing mounting pressure to widen its inquiry. Lawmakers are being urged to summon Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, following testimonies implicating his office in administrative lapses. 

The heightened scrutiny follows a directive by the committee chair, Representative Yusuf Gagdi, ordering the Inspector-General of Police to present the prime suspect, Adeniyi Adeyemi, before the panel. Adeyemi, who has been in police custody for over two weeks, is accused of fraudulently establishing a non-existent government agency.

Key Revelations from the Hearing

During the resumed hearing at the National Assembly, several senior government officials testified regarding how the fake agency gained institutional traction:

• Forged Documentation: Investigators revealed that approximately 29 forged documents—including counterfeit presidential approvals, fake National Assembly Acts, and fraudulent correspondence from the State House and other ministries—were used to secure government recognition and office space.

• Treasury Involvement: The Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, disclosed that his office unknowingly created an administrative code for the purported council after receiving a letter that appeared to originate from the State House. However, Ogunjimi maintained that no public funds were disbursed to the unauthorized entity and that a request for a multi-billion-naira establishment grant was rejected.

• Police Investigation: Representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Bashir Abdullahi confirmed that the police had filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi at a Federal High Court. Police investigations revealed that Adeyemi allegedly used the fake office to attempt to recruit 300 personnel, secure a budget allocation, and plan a major summit.

Calls for Expanded Accountability

Political analysts and civil society organizations have criticized the panel for missing critical lines of inquiry. Critics argued that the committee should immediately summon the Chief of Staff to clarify his office's oversight and address allegations linking him indirectly to the suspect through a middleman.

Additionally, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) called for broader accountability, urging the committee to investigate the role of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation regarding due diligence failures.

Despite the controversies, Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi insisted that Adeyemi's physical appearance before lawmakers is vital to verify documents, protect institutional integrity, and finalize the panel's report.