- Donates N50m To Families Of Teachers, Soldiers Killed In Oyo Rescue
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.
Meanwhile, the Upper Chamber has approved a N50 million donation to the families of five people killed during the military operation that rescued abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during Wednesday’s plenary, saying each of the five bereaved families would receive N10 million to support the children left behind by the deceased.
The donation followed the Senate’s adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, which commended President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the victims abducted from two schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
Lawmakers also called for comprehensive medical care and welfare support for Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion, who sustained serious injuries while shielding the abducted children during the rescue operation.
The Senate paid tribute to the three soldiers—Lt. F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sgt. Abena John Jerome—and two teachers who lost their lives, describing their sacrifice as a testament to the nation’s fight against insecurity.
The victims were rescued on July 10 in an intelligence-led operation that also led to the killing of several kidnappers and the arrest of eight suspected terrorists. The Senate said the operation had restored public confidence and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening school security and improving the welfare of security personnel.
