Reps Panel Clears Gbajabiamila in Fake Agency Probe

A House of Representatives panel has cleared President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of involvement in a purported government agency that lawmakers are investigating.

The ad hoc committee probing the alleged inclusion of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council in the Federal Government’s budget framework said it found no evidence that Gbajabiamila approved, created or took part in the organisation’s activities. Committee chairman Yusuf Gagdi announced the preliminary finding during a televised briefing on Wednesday.

The panel said the Chief of Staff acted after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission raised concerns about suspected fraudulent activity and the alleged misuse of institutional materials. According to the committee, Gbajabiamila contacted the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission within a day. He also ordered administrative checks through relevant government bodies.

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The documentary evidence presently before the Committee does not establish that the Chief of Staff authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported organisation.

The committee said he sent further communications seeking investigations and appropriate action when new concerns appeared, including issues related to a proposed world investment summit. “The documentary evidence presently before the Committee does not establish that the Chief of Staff authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported organisation,” the panel said. “On the contrary, the evidence demonstrates repeated steps to secure investigation, institutional verification and appropriate administrative action.” Lawmakers provisionally commended him for those measures.

The panel also examined a letter that purported to appoint Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi as the organisation’s director-general. It said the letter was forged and falsely attributed to the Presidency. State House records showed that Gbajabiamila neither issued nor signed it, while the letterhead was not authentic and its reference number did not follow the official system.

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On the contrary, the evidence demonstrates repeated steps to secure investigation, institutional verification and appropriate administrative action.