Fake Agency Probe: Reps Panel Clears Gbajabiamila, Says Appointment Letter Was Forged

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council has cleared the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, of involvement in the establishment or activities of the purported agency. The committee disclosed this in its preliminary findings presented by its Chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, on Wednesday. According to the panel, there was no evidence that Gbajabiamila authorised, approved or participated in the operations of the organisation, contrary to allegations previously made by its purported Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. Instead, lawmakers said evidence presented during the investigation showed that Gbajabiamila took steps to alert security and investigative agencies after concerns were raised about the organisation. The committee said the concerns were initially brought to the attention of the Chief of Staff by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, which had reportedly raised an alarm over suspected fraudulent activities and misuse of institutional materials. Following the alert, Gbajabiamila was said to have contacted relevant security and investigative agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Office of the National Security Adviser. The panel also examined a letter purportedly issued by Gbajabiamila appointing Adeyemi as Director-General of the organisation. Its findings indicated that the appointment letter was fabricated and falsely attributed to the Chief of Staff. According to the committee, State House records showed that Gbajabiamila neither issued nor signed the document. The letterhead was also found to be inconsistent with authentic State House correspondence, while its reference number did not follow the official system. The lawmakers further rejected documents presented as a presidential executive order and an Act of the National Assembly supposedly establishing the council. The committee said it found no valid law, executive order, administrative instrument or other lawful authority establishing the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. It also found that the purported Act of Parliament had never passed through the required legislative process or received presidential assent. The controversy surrounding the council intensified after the organisation appeared in the Federal Government’s 2026 budget despite questions over its legal status. Adeyemi had claimed that he was appointed to head the council and made allegations against Gbajabiamila, including claims involving financial demands. Gbajabiamila denied involvement. The committee has now recommended further investigation into the activities and financial dealings associated with the purported agency. Preliminary financial information presented to the panel also reportedly linked about 58 bank accounts to identifying details associated with Adeyemi, although the committee stressed that further verification was required before determining the legality of the accounts and transactions. While the panel preliminarily commended Gbajabiamila for his response after the allegations were brought to his attention, it emphasised that its findings do not represent the final decision of the House. The investigation is therefore expected to continue as lawmakers seek to determine how the purported agency secured government recognition, appeared in the national budget and operated despite allegedly lacking a valid legal foundation.