The National Security Adviser (NSA), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Accountant-General of the Federation, Minister of Foreign Affairs and other top government officials are expected to appear before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the legal basis, operations and budgetary inclusion of phantom Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) today.

Also expected before the Yusuf Adamu Gagdi-led panel are the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Auditor-General for the Federation, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), as well as other key government officials connected to the controversial council.

The appearance comes as the committee intensifies its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the council, which has come under scrutiny following the discovery that over N1.3 billion was appropriated to it in the 2026 budget despite questions over its legal status.

The ad hoc committee was inaugurated on Monday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who charged members to establish facts rather than validate speculation, insisting that every public institution must derive its authority from the law.

At the inaugural sitting, the committee heard from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

Representing the CBN Governor, a director in the apex bank, Hamisu Abdullahi, disclosed that the bank opened two domiciliary accounts for the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council after receiving a mandate from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on July 30, 2025.

He, however, told lawmakers that the dollar and pound sterling accounts had remained dormant with zero balance and had never been operated because no authorised signatories were provided.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, also informed the committee that her office neither established the council nor deployed civil servants to it.

She disclosed that although the council sought approval for its organisational structure and manpower, the office later discovered irregularities in the legal documents presented as its enabling instrument.

The committee is examining issues surrounding the alleged establishment and activities of the PFIPC, including its legal backing, membership, funding arrangements and the use of official government correspondence.

The lawmakers said the ongoing probe was aimed at establishing the facts and ensuring accountability in the management of public institutions and government processes. (Daily Trust)

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