Senate rejects immediate probe of PFIPC ₦1.3bn allocation pending ICPC report

The Senate has again rejected a request to probe the PFIPC scandal, citing ongoing court cases and an ICPC investigation into the controversial N1.3bn allo Read More: https://punchng.com/pfipc-scandal-again-senate-rejects-probe-request/

The Senate has again rejected a motion seeking an independent investigation into the controversy involving the Presidency and Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC). Senator Suleiman Kawu raised the matter during Wednesday’s plenary under matters of urgent public importance. It was […] Senate again declines probe of PFIPC

The management of the agency never appeared before the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters The post PFIPC Scandal: How Senate blocked N1.3bn budget probe; ‘history ‘ll judge us’ – Kawu appeared first on Vanguard News.

 The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the inclusion of N1.3 billion for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 Appropriation Act.   The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the committee on navy.   BACKGROUND The PFIPC has been dogged by controversy over the N1.3 billion budgetary allocation for the council in the 2026 budget.     On June 11, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, issued a public disclaimer disowning the appointment of Adeniyi Adeyemi as the head of the council.   The former speaker of the house of representatives said such an office “does not exist” under Tinubu’s government, and no appointment has been made in that regard.   But Adeyemi rejected Gbajabiamila’s claim, describing it as a glaring contradiction in official government records.     The presidency would later accuse Adeyemi of forging documents, including an appointment letter, to present himself as the head of the alleged non-existent government agency.   On Tuesday, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the PFIPC controversy.   THE MOTION   Moving the motion during Wednesday’s plenary, Gagdi said the investigation would uncover the institutional lapses that enabled the entity’s inclusion in the 2026 budget.   Ahmad Satomi, chairman of the committee on national security and intelligence, said the fiasco has “affected the sanctity” of the nation’s budget process.   “Whoever is involved must be brought to book and face the full weight of the law,” he said.   Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, backed the motion, describing the development as “embarrassing.”   Lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion when Tajudeen Abbas, speaker, called for a voice vote.   Consequently, the house resolved to invite Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, and Tanimu Kurfi, director-general of the budget office of the federation, to explain the verification procedures before new entities are included in the federal budget.   Meanwhile, during Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate rejected a motion seeking to probe the PFIPC’s inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.   Instead, senators resolved to withhold further action until ICPC concludes the probe ordered by Tinubu.  

 The Senate has rejected a motion seeking an investigation into the inclusion of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 Appropriation Act.   Lawmakers, however, resolved to withhold further action until the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concludes the probe ordered by President Bola Tinubu.   The decision followed a point of order raised by Kawu Sumaila, senator representing Kano south, who urged the upper chamber to investigate how the agency, which the presidency has described as non-existent, secured a budgetary allocation of N1.3 billion.   Speaking at Wednesday’s plenary, Sumaila said the controversy directly affects the integrity of the senate, the credibility of the national assembly and its constitutional oversight and appropriation responsibilities.     As Sumaila began presenting his motion, Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, who presided over plenary, interrupted him, saying the matter appeared to be like a substantive motion.   “I raised it as a matter of privilege. I am pleading with Mr President to allow me, just to hear me; then the chair can decide,” Sumaila said.   Barau replied: “What I am saying is this: the way you come to ventilate your views”.     “Allow me…” Sumaila responded.   “You are coming as if you are presenting a substantive motion. But, you say it, say your mind about what you feel like it. The senate will look at what should be done. I want to guide you,” Barau said.   “I am properly guided,” Sumaila replied.   Barau subsequently allowed him to proceed after directing another senator, who attempted to raise a separate point of order, to take his seat.     Presenting his case, Sumaila said the inclusion of the PFIPC in the 2026 budget raised serious questions about the integrity of the appropriation process.   He noted that although the executive had publicly disowned the agency, it was allocated N1,302,978,000 under budget code 0111062001 in the appropriation act.   “Senate notes that notwithstanding the executive’s public disapproval of this agency, the entirety was incorporated in the 2026 Appropriation Act under Code 0111062001 with a budgetary allocation of N1,302,978,000,” he said.   “Thereby raising a serious question regarding the integrity of the budget preparation and appropriation process.”     According to the senator, the allocation comprised over N800 million for personnel costs, more than N200 million for overheads and over N300 million for capital expenditure.   He noted that allocating public funds to an entity now officially described as non-existent undermined public confidence in the budget process and exposed weaknesses in legislative scrutiny.     Sumaila asked the senate to mandate its committees on ethics, code of conduct and public petitions, and appropriations to investigate how the allocation was proposed, scrutinised, justified and approved.   He also sought an inquiry into whether any funds had been released or spent under the budget line and whether any bank account had been opened or operated in relation to the allocation.     “This is the angle I am coming from, the angle of budget, which is our constitutional responsibility. I so submit, Mr President,” he said.   Responding, Barau said the matter ought to have been presented as a substantive motion through the senate committee on rules and business.     He, however, said the presidency had already directed the ICPC to investigate the controversy, making it unnecessary for the senate to commence a parallel probe at this stage.   “Like I said, distinguished colleagues, he came under privilege, and I thought this issue he could have brought to the rules and business committee, to be listed as a substantive motion,” Barau said.   “But, as I said earlier, the presidency has taken up this matter by directing that the ICPC should investigate fully how this matter came to be.   “And I think ICPC has started. I believe that what we need to do at this stage is to have the report of the ICPC, and then we can act on that report and deal with it as we feel appropriate.”   Barau thereafter put the position to a voice vote.   The senate adopted the position without dissent, effectively rejecting Sumaila’s request for an immediate investigation into the PFIPC budget allocation pending the outcome of the ICPC probe.

The lawmakers said that since the presidency has taken up the matter by directing the ICPC to investigate the matter, it will await the commission's report and deal with it appropriately. The post Senate rejects motion to probe ₦1.3 billion vote for so-called PFIPC in 2026 budget appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.