The Senate on Wednesday, for the second time in one week, rejected a fresh request to investigate the controversial budgetary allocation to the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that the matter is already before the courts and under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The development came as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Presidency disagreed over how the scandal should be investigated.
The controversy intensified on Tuesday, July 14 after the Nigeria Police arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC. He was apprehended on the strength of a bench warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja after failing to appear for arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Adeyemi has also accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding a N400 million bribe and a 48 per cent stake in the agency’s proposed N27.4 billion take-off grant. Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations.
In response to the controversy, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged agency and its budgetary allocation, with the commission expected to submit its findings within 30 days.
Atiku Demands Independent Investigation
Reacting to the scandal, Atiku called for an independent investigation, arguing that the ICPC probe ordered by the President would not inspire public confidence.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the key issue was not merely the alleged impersonation by Adeyemi but how an organisation now described by the Presidency as non-existent allegedly secured office space in the Federal Secretariat, recruited staff, obtained diplomatic recognition and received budgetary allocations.
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He also questioned a N6.44 billion allocation in the 2026 budget for a “Special Presidential Support Group for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers,” noting that Nigeria had already been eliminated from the qualifying race before the budget was presented.
According to Atiku, the allocation raises fresh concerns about the integrity of the federal budget and reinforces public suspicion that questionable expenditures are being inserted into appropriation bills.
The ADC presidential candidate warned that Adeyemi’s arrest should not be used to divert attention from broader questions about the alleged agency and the role of public officials.
He urged the National Assembly to constitute an independent bipartisan panel to investigate the entire PFIPC controversy, including how the agency allegedly gained official recognition, secured office accommodation and obtained public funds.
Presidency Defends ICPC Probe
The Presidency dismissed Atiku’s demand, insisting that the ICPC investigation ordered by President Tinubu is sufficient.
Presidential spokesman Temitope Ajayi said the anti-corruption agency is legally empowered to investigate corruption cases and questioned Atiku’s apparent lack of confidence in state institutions.
According to him, if Atiku seeks to lead the country, he should have confidence in institutions established by law.
Senate Rejects Motion Again
The renewed request for a Senate investigation was moved by Senator Suleiman Kawu, who represents Kano South.
Kawu argued that the National Assembly had a constitutional responsibility to determine how the alleged agency secured a N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that lawmakers could not investigate a matter already before a competent court and under investigation by the ICPC.
He said the issue had been overtaken by events following Adeyemi’s arraignment and President Tinubu’s directive for an investigation.
Akpabio maintained that any Senate inquiry at this stage could interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings.
How Adeyemi was Arrested
Security sources disclosed that Adeyemi evaded arrest for several weeks before he was eventually apprehended near Ilesa in Osun State.
According to the sources, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team tracked him for about five days after he arrived in the state.
The team, which had been deployed to Osun on another assignment, confirmed his location before carrying out the arrest.
The sources added that Adeyemi had earlier stayed in Ibadan, where officials of the Department of State Services monitored his movements but did not arrest him.
After his arrest, he was quietly moved from Osun to Ibadan and later transferred to Abuja to avoid attracting public attention.
Adeyemi is facing charges of alleged forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences over the PFIPC scandal.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.