The House of Representatives has intensified its PFIPC investigation, summoning the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to explain how the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) continued operating despite official concerns over its legitimacy. Lawmakers also issued a final warning to several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that failed to honour invitations to appear before the investigative panel.
Appearing before the committee, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, stated that the ministry had no official relationship with the PFIPC or its promoter, Prince Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi.
According to Ahmed, Adeyemi, who identified himself as Director-General of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC), approached the ministry on three occasions; June 26, 2025, August 5, 2025, and June 5, 2026, requesting collaboration and endorsement for a proposed World Investment Summit. He explained that the ministry declined the requests after detecting discrepancies in the correspondence and initiated due diligence.
The ministry subsequently wrote to the Office of the National Security Adviser on October 16, 2025, seeking clarification on the status of the council. In a response dated November 26, 2025, the NSA reportedly stated that enquiries with both the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President confirmed that Prince Adeyemi was unknown to any Federal Government office. Ahmed further told lawmakers that the ministry neither participated in diplomatic engagements organised by the PFIPC nor maintained any official interaction with the council.
Committee members questioned why stronger action was not taken after the ministry received confirmation that the council lacked legal recognition. Responding, the committee chairman maintained that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had acted appropriately by notifying the National Security Adviser but insisted that the NSA must now account for subsequent actions.
According to the chairman, the security office should explain what measures were taken after confirming the council was not legally recognised. Lawmakers also expressed concern that the alleged council reportedly engaged foreign diplomats despite the ministry’s position that it had no dealings with it.
The committee described the development as evidence of weak inter-agency coordination, warning that it was unacceptable for an allegedly unauthorised body to conduct diplomatic activities involving foreign nationals. Ahmed acknowledged that some organisations occasionally bypass official diplomatic channels, adding that the ministry regularly issues circulars reminding stakeholders to follow established procedures.
The committee also criticised the absence of several invited MDAs, describing their failure to appear as a disregard for the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly. Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi stressed that invitations issued under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution are legally binding and not optional.
He announced that Thursday would serve as the final opportunity for defaulting agencies to appear before the panel, insisting that only chief executives or accounting officers, not representatives would be accepted.
The committee warned that any agency that failed to comply without lawful justification could face constitutional and statutory sanctions. During the hearing, lawmakers rejected a representative from the Ministry of Finance, insisting that only the ministry’s accounting officer would be allowed to testify.
The committee maintained that the PFIPC investigation is intended to establish the facts surrounding the alleged establishment and operations of the council while safeguarding constitutional governance and accountability. The hearing was adjourned to July 23, 2026, with the National Security Adviser, Minister of Foreign Affairs and other defaulting MDAs expected to appear before the panel with all relevant documents.
