Akpabio Blocks Fresh Senate Probe Of PFIPC Allocation

The Senate on Wednesday again rejected a request to investigate the controversial ₦1.3 billion budget allocation to the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying the matter is already before the courts and under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The motion, sponsored by Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu, sought a probe into how funds were appropriated for an agency the Presidency insists does not exist.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled against the request, stating that the issue was sub judice because criminal charges had already been filed. He also noted that President Bola Tinubu had directed the ICPC to investigate the controversy and submit its findings within 30 days.

Kawu argued that the Senate had a constitutional responsibility to examine how the allocation was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, regardless of the executive’s investigation, but lawmakers maintained their earlier position and rejected the motion.

The controversy centres on Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be Director-General of the PFIPC. He is facing charges over alleged impersonation and related offences and has accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding a ₦400 million bribe and a 48 per cent stake in the agency’s proposed ₦27.4 billion take-off grant.

The Presidency has denied the allegations against Gbajabiamila and maintains that the PFIPC is not a recognised federal agency, despite the ₦1.3 billion allocation contained in the 2026 budget.