The House of Representatives has summoned Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, alongside several top government officials over the controversial operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). The lawmakers are investigating how the council allegedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, maintained Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) accounts, and appeared in the 2026 national budget despite concerns about its legal status.

The investigation follows growing questions surrounding the establishment and operations of the PFIPC, with the House determined to establish whether due process was followed in creating and funding the council.

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Reps Expand Probe Into PFIPC Operations

The invitation was issued on Monday during a public hearing organised by the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the circumstances surrounding the existence and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Apart from Akume, the committee also summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, and other relevant officials.

The invited officials are expected to appear before the committee on July 21 to explain their respective roles, if any, in the establishment, funding and inclusion of the council in the federal government’s budget framework.

Committee Questions Office Allocation

During the hearing, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed that the office space currently occupied by the PFIPC was originally allocated to her office.

She explained that the council had approached her office seeking approval for its proposed organisational structure. However, the request was rejected because the required legal documentation was not provided.

Walson-Jack also informed lawmakers that her office neither deployed civil servants to the council nor authorised the allocation of office accommodation.

Her testimony prompted the committee to seek clarification on how the PFIPC eventually secured office space within the Federal Secretariat.

CBN Confirms PFIPC Opened Two Bank Accounts

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also confirmed that two accounts were opened in the name of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Representing the apex bank, Director of Banking, Hamisu Abdullahi, told lawmakers that the Office of the Accountant-General authorised the opening of the accounts through a letter dated July 30, 2025.

According to him, government agencies are required to obtain clearance from the Accountant-General before opening accounts with the CBN.

However, Abdullahi clarified that although the accounts were created, they were never activated because no authorised signatories were presented to operate them.

As a result, the accounts have remained dormant since they were opened.

House Committee Vows Thorough Investigation

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, assured Nigerians that lawmakers would thoroughly investigate every aspect of the PFIPC’s operations.

He said the committee would determine how the council was established, how it obtained office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, why it appeared in the 2026 federal budget, and whether all legal and administrative procedures were properly followed.

Gagdi stressed that the House remains committed to ensuring accountability and transparency in government institutions, adding that all individuals connected to the matter would be given the opportunity to explain their roles before the committee concludes its investigation.