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.
