REPS PANEL EXONERATES GBAJABIAMILA IN ALLEGED FAKE AGENCY SCANDAL

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council has cleared the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, of involvement in the establishment or operation of the organisation.

The committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed the finding in its preliminary report following an investigation into how the purported agency obtained recognition within parts of the Federal Government system and allegedly gained access to government facilities and other privileges.

According to the panel, there was no evidence showing that Gbajabiamila authorised, approved or participated in the creation or activities of the organisation. The committee said this finding contradicted allegations previously made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council.

The committee also examined a letter said to have been issued by Gbajabiamila appointing Adeyemi as Director-General. However, the panel said its investigation established that the document was not issued or signed by the Chief of Staff.

The purported appointment letter was also found to contain inconsistencies in its letterhead and reference number when compared with official correspondence from the State House, further raising questions about its authenticity.

Rather than being linked to the creation of the organisation, the committee said Gbajabiamila took steps to alert relevant authorities after concerns about the activities of the purported agency were brought to his attention.

The panel stated that the Chief of Staff communicated with security and investigative institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Office of the National Security Adviser. The committee consequently commended him for what it described as timely interventions.

The investigation also raised broader concerns about the legal existence of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. Gagdi said the committee found no valid Act of the National Assembly, executive order or other lawful instrument establishing the organisation.

The panel further reported that documents allegedly used to establish the organisation’s authority included a purported presidential appointment letter, an alleged executive order and a document presented as an Act of the National Assembly. The committee said these documents showed evidence of alleged fabrication, forgery, mutilation, impersonation or unauthorised representation of government institutions.

Despite the absence of a lawful establishing instrument, the purported council allegedly secured office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat Complex and was captured in the 2026 budget framework.

The committee also discovered an extensive network of bank accounts and entities allegedly connected to Adeyemi. Preliminary findings identified about 58 accounts, with more than 30 reportedly operated in the names of several agencies, companies, foundations and related organisations.

Among the entities identified were organisations bearing names connected to investment promotion, youth development and international affairs. The committee said similarities in their names, objectives, management structures, signatories and banking relationships warranted further investigation.

The panel stressed, however, that the identification of the accounts and organisations did not by itself establish that every account or entity was involved in unlawful activity. Investigators were still examining registration records, beneficial ownership information, account mandates and transaction histories.

Another major aspect of the investigation concerns an alleged ₦400 million transaction involving a company that reportedly claimed Adeyemi represented that he could secure a contract relating to the renovation, furnishing or improvement of a purported official residence allocated to him in his claimed government capacity.

The committee said it was tracing the funds involved, identifying account holders and beneficial owners and determining whether any public official or private individual participated in or benefited from the transaction. Potential offences mentioned by the panel include fraudulent misrepresentation, obtaining money by false pretence, impersonation, conspiracy and forgery, subject to further investigation and due legal process.

The committee also said the purported organisation allegedly used the names, offices and photographs of President Tinubu and other senior government officials without authorisation in an effort to project itself as a legitimate federal institution.

It further raised concerns over claims that about 39 individuals were represented as employees of the organisation. Their recruitment, appointment letters, identity cards, remuneration and allegations of payments being demanded from prospective employees are among the issues the panel said require further examination.

The committee recommended stronger verification procedures across government to prevent individuals or organisations from falsely presenting themselves as federal institutions. It also called for greater scrutiny of the creation of government administrative and budget codes, official correspondence, government accommodation and other privileges.

Financial institutions and relevant investigative bodies were similarly urged to preserve account records, transaction histories and beneficial ownership information relating to the individuals and entities under investigation.

Gagdi emphasised that the committee’s report remains preliminary and should not be interpreted as a final determination of criminal responsibility. He said definitive findings would follow after outstanding evidence has been obtained and affected parties have been given the opportunity to respond.

The final report is expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives after lawmakers return from their annual recess. The House will then have the authority to consider and act on the committee’s findings and recommendations.

The panel’s preliminary decision to clear Gbajabiamila therefore separates the President’s Chief of Staff from the alleged activities of the purported agency, while the investigation continues into the organisation’s claimed government status, financial activities and the individuals allegedly responsible for creating and operating it.