ICPC Commences Investigation on ‘Fake’ Agency, House Committee Summons SGF

Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has launched an investigation into the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), following a directive from President Bola Tinubu. The anti-graft agency's chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, informed a House of Representatives ad hoc committee that the investigation is underway and requested three days to provide an update.

The ad hoc committee has summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for allegedly allocating office space to the 'fake' agency. Also summoned are the Salaries and Wages Commission, the Federal Character Commission, the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, Finance, Foreign Affairs, the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Minister of Justice. They are all required to appear before the committee on Tuesday.

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Following the President’s directive, we have commenced investigation, we appeal to this committee to give us three days to come back and update the committee on the investigation.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, stated that while agency establishment is not under her purview, her office approves administrative structures. She clarified that the PFIPC is using office space allocated to the SGF, which can be reallocated. Walson-Jack admitted that her office did not perform due diligence on the council's submitted documents, noting that a request for approval of its organizational structure was denied on August 6, 2025, due to missing prerequisites. She acknowledged that upon reviewing the documents, she identified irregularities, being a lawyer with over 30 years of experience.

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When all these problems came up, and I said, bring the documents, and immediately I saw it, because I am a lawyer with over 30 years’ experience, I said there was something wrong with this.