House Panel Uncovers 58 PFIPC-Linked Accounts, Clears Gbajabiamila

A House of Representatives committee investigating the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council says it has traced about 58 bank accounts and several related entities to people linked with the purported agency.

The committee also cleared the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of allegations that he authorised or helped set up the PFIPC.

Lawmakers said their interim findings pointed to forged or altered documents allegedly used to make the organisation appear to have presidential and legislative backing. The committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, said the body was not created by a valid law or government instrument.

The panel said financial information linked the accounts through Bank Verification Number and other identifying details associated with Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as director-general of the council. Some accounts were said to have been operated in the names of agencies, companies, foundations or related entities.

Daily Trust reported that the committee cautioned it had not concluded that every account, entity or transaction was unlawful, and that it was still reconciling registration records, account mandates, beneficial ownership details, signatories and transaction histories.

Channels TV reported that the findings came from oral testimony, documents, financial records and submissions from government institutions. Premium Times reported that the committee also found about 39 people presented or represented as employees of the organisation.

On Gbajabiamila, the committee said evidence from the State House showed that an appointment letter allegedly bearing his authority and signature was not issued by him or by the Presidency.

The PFIPC matter has drawn scrutiny because the disputed organisation allegedly appeared in federal budget documents despite questions about its legal status.

Sources: Daily Post, Daily Trust, Channels TV, Premium Times