The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Walson-Jack, has informed the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) controversy that the office occupied by the council was officially allocated to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
Walson-Jack made the disclosure on Monday while appearing before the committee probing the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the PFIPC and the ₦1.3 billion allocation made for the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
According to her, the office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja has always been under the control of the OSGF, clarifying concerns over the council's use of the facility.
The controversy surrounding the PFIPC intensified following allegations linking the self-acclaimed Director-General of the council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
However, Gbajabiamila had on June 11 publicly distanced himself from Adeyemi, stating that he neither knew him nor recognised the PFIPC as a legitimate government agency.
The Chief of Staff also revealed that he had petitioned security agencies in October 2025 after reports surfaced that forged appointment letters were allegedly being issued in the name of the council.
He further disclosed that Adeyemi was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court on charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.
Adeyemi has denied all the allegations, maintaining that he is innocent and expressing confidence that he would clear his name during the court proceedings.
In response to the controversy, President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to carry out an independent investigation into the activities of the council. Adeyemi was later arrested and questioned before being released as investigations continued.
The House committee is expected to continue its inquiry into the legality of the PFIPC, its operations and the budgetary provision made for the council.