A House of Representatives ad hoc committee has summoned Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume to justify how the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council obtained office space inside the federal secretariat.
The panel, formally named the Ad hoc Committee to Investigate the Circumstances Surrounding the Existence and Operations of PFIPC and its Inclusion in the Budget Framework, made this decision in Abuja during a public hearing on Monday.
The committee also called in Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi, Accountant-General Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, Budget Office Director-General Tanimu Yakubu and other officials. They're expected to appear on July 21 to address questions about the council's controversial operations.
The PFIPC, led by Adeyemi Adeniyi, operates from the federal secretariat, maintains accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and was included in the 2026 budget without following proper procedures. The committee's move came after the Office of the Head of the Civil Service and the CBN presented their findings at the hearing.
Head of Civil Service Didi Walson-Jack revealed that PFIPC occupies office space originally allocated to her office. She told the panel that PFIPC requested approval of its structure but this was rejected due to incomplete paperwork.
"OHCSF did not deploy any staff, nor did it approve any office space for the council," Walson-Jack said. The civil service head emphasized her office had no involvement in the council's establishment.
CBN Director of Banking Hamisu Abdullahi confirmed that PFIPC held two accounts with the central bank. He explained that on July 30, 2025, the Accountant-General's office authorised the CBN to open these accounts.
Abdullahi noted that standard banking practice requires clearance from the Accountant-General's office before any agency can open accounts, change signatories, or close them. However, he added that despite opening the accounts, no one registered as signatories and the accounts remained unused.
Committee chairman Yusuf Gagdi, a Plateau-based All Progressives Congress member, promised a thorough investigation. "The committee will get to the root of the matter," he said, signalling the panel's determination to uncover the facts.
