Senate again rejects probe into ₦1.3bn allocation for fake agency in 2026 budget

Nigeria's Senate has once again refused to launch an investigation into a ₦1.3 billion budget allocation designated for a phantom agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The decision came during a plenary session where senators overwhelmingly voted against a motion to probe the controversial appropriation for the 2026 budget.

Sponsors of the motion argued that the Senate should examine the allocation, as lawmakers approved the budget containing the funds. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the matter is already sub judice, with the Presidency having initiated its own high-powered committee to investigate the fake agency's formation, budget, and operations. Akpabio cautioned that a parliamentary probe at this stage could interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings.

This marks the second time the Senate has dismissed calls for an investigation. Previously, a similar motion was rejected because President Bola Tinubu had already directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate. The man accused of creating the fake agency and forging appointment letters, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested and faces an eight-count charge in Federal High Court. The case is scheduled for hearing on July 27, with Adeyemi having been declared wanted and previously in hiding.

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The fake agency has been making rounds. Unfortunately, the issue has been overtaken by events. The culprit has been charged in court so that it will become sub judice. The president has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the subject matter from the formation of the fake agency all the way to budgetary and offices, and opening of accounts and all that. So, that is also being done. If we go into it now, we will probably be jumping the gun because the prosecution is ongoing.