PFIPC: Reps Panel Clears Gbajabiamila, Links 12 Agencies, 58 Bank Accounts to DG

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, has cleared the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of allegations that he authorised, created or took part in the activities of the purported agency.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, said its preliminary investigation found that the organisation was not legally established by the Federal Government. It also said documents allegedly presented to give the body presidential and legislative backing were forged, fabricated or altered.

The committee specifically examined a letter purportedly appointing Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi as Director-General of the PFIPC, which allegedly carried Gbajabiamila’s authority and signature. It found that the letter was not issued by the Chief of Staff or the Presidency.

According to the lawmakers, evidence obtained from the State House showed that no such appointment was made or approved by the Presidency, adding that Gbajabiamila neither issued nor signed the letter.

The committee also discovered that the letterhead used on the document was not genuine State House letterhead, while the reference number on it did not conform to the Presidency’s official numbering system.

It said the format, language and administrative details contained in the document were significantly different from those used in official State House correspondence.

The lawmakers therefore made a preliminary finding that the alleged appointment letter was fabricated and falsely presented as an official document from the Presidency.

The finding clears Gbajabiamila of the allegation, as the committee said it found no evidence connecting him to the purported appointment or the activities of the organisation.

Instead, the committee said documents before it showed that Gbajabiamila took steps to initiate investigations after concerns about the organisation were brought to his attention.

It said that after receiving an alert from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, over suspected fraud and the alleged misuse of government materials, Gbajabiamila acted within 24 hours by contacting security and investigative agencies.

Those agencies included the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The committee added that the Chief of Staff also directed relevant government institutions to carry out administrative verification of the organisation.

It further said that when fresh concerns emerged, including those linked to a proposed World Investment Summit, additional communications were sent to relevant authorities requesting investigations and appropriate action.

FG Stops Payments for Unapproved Foreign Trips by Appointees

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend the processing of payments for official foreign trips undertaken by government appointees without prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The directive was contained in a circular dated August 13, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, ministers, Heads of the Civil Service, service chiefs, heads of federal agencies, as well as chief executives of parastatals and government-owned companies.

The circular, referenced PRS59648/S.13/TI/335, stated that despite existing regulations governing official foreign travel, “some Federal Government appointees continue to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant government directives and established administrative procedures.”

The government noted that it had issued no fewer than five circulars since 2012 aimed at regulating foreign travels by cabinet members and other public officials. However, the circular observed that cases of non-compliance have persisted, describing the development as one that undermines efforts to promote effective coordination, accountability, transparency and prudent management of public funds.

Under the new directive, accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies are required to ensure that no expenditure connected to official foreign trips by government appointees is processed without evidence that the necessary approval has been obtained from the OSGF.

The circular also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make the presentation of valid OSGF approval a mandatory condition for processing Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and visa applications for government appointees travelling outside the country on official assignments.

In addition, foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria are to be formally informed that applications for official, diplomatic or service visas submitted by government appointees must be accompanied by valid approval for the proposed foreign trip from the OSGF.

BREAKING: Reps Order IG to Produce Alleged Fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi Within 48 Hours

The House of Representatives Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to produce the organisation’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeyemi Adeniyi, within 48 hours.

The order was issued on Monday during the committee’s resumed investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Representing the Inspector-General, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi appeared before the lawmakers and was instructed to ensure Adeyemi appears before the committee by noon on Wednesday to assist with its ongoing investigation.

The committee is probing how the PFIPC, despite reportedly lacking legal establishment, allegedly secured office space in Phase III of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, and received a budgetary allocation of ₦1.32 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

During the hearing, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed key aspects of its criminal investigation, including petitions from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said Adeyemi’s appearance was necessary in view of the weight of the allegations and the public institutions linked to the matter.

The committee also directed its clerk to formally notify the Inspector-General of Police of its resolution, insisting that Adeyemi must appear before lawmakers on Wednesday.

Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister After Meeting King Charles III

Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where he was invited to form a new government following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.

Starmer left Downing Street on Monday after delivering a farewell address, saying his two years in office had helped make Britain a better place. He then travelled to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to the King.

Following Starmer’s departure, Burnham met with King Charles III and accepted the monarch’s invitation to form the next government. At 56, Burnham becomes the sixth person to serve as UK Prime Minister in the past decade.

In his final remarks as Prime Minister, Starmer said his work was done as he formally handed over power to Burnham, bringing his two-year tenure to an end.

Senate begins screening of Tinubu’s ministerial nominee

The Senate on Thursday commenced the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominee for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, marking the latest step in the administration’s efforts to strengthen its cabinet.

The minister-designate was ushered into the chamber at exactly 12:32 pm, where he appeared before lawmakers in plenary for the constitutionally mandated exercise.

As of press time, senators had begun questioning the nominee on his qualifications, policy direction, and readiness to manage the critical housing portfolio.

The screening follows a formal request transmitted to the upper chamber by the President on Wednesday, seeking Darma’s confirmation as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who read the communication from Tinubu during plenary, subsequently referred it to the Committee of the Whole for consideration, directing that the panel report back as soon as practicable.

Tinubu ministers gripped by fear after cabinet sackings

President Bola Tinubu’s ministers appear gripped by fear following the recent sacking of some of their colleagues.

Recall that the President relieved the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, of their positions on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, complaints had earlier emerged in some quarters that some cabinet members add no value to the administration.

It was also alleged that some political appointees lack the pedigree to translate President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into reality across their ministries, departments, and agencies.

A minister, who visited the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, jokingly told journalists that there is an earthquake going on and everyone is in panic mode now.”