By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau) Chairman, House Committee probing the establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) says preliminary findings will be announced next week.

Gagdi made the announcement at the conclusion of public hearing on the probe on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that following interactions with relevant authorities, the said Director-General of the Council, Mr Adeyemi Adeniyi could not appear due to subsisting court order remanding him in Police custody.

Gagdi said that the committee, based on the documentary evidence and engagement with relevant government institutions, identified extensive forgery.

According to him, no fewer than 19 fake State House documents were allegedly used by Adeniyi to get approvals from relevant agencies for the operation of the agency.

“The committee will conclude this investigation phase by holding close-door hearings with the remaining agencies to secure clarification, consolidate the findings, and ensure that all parties are accorded fair hearing in accordance with principles of due process.

“Upon completion of the exercise, the committee will brief the general public on the finding next week, on a date to be announced pending the resumption of plenary, after which its comprehensive report will be formally laid before the House of Representatives,” he said.

The chairman said that the committee remained committed on conducting a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation in the interests of justice, accountability, and protection of human integrity in general.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen had on July 20, inaugurated the committee to probe the alleged establishment of Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) without a valid legal basis.

Tajudeen said that questions had been raised about PFIPC legal status, institutional mandate, operational framework, relationship with existing agencies.

Questions were also raised about its appearance within the Federal Budget Framework in spite of widespread uncertainty regarding its establishment. (NAN)

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