House Launches Probe as ICPC Investigates Controversial PFIPC Budget Allocation

The controversy over the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has intensified after the House of Representatives initiated an investigation into how the agency secured a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite the Presidency maintaining that the council does not legally exist.

The latest development follows President Bola Tinubu's directive giving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) 30 days to investigate the controversial agency and determine how it became part of the national budget.

Speaking during a social media interview, the embattled Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, said he was ready to cooperate fully with investigators by submitting all documents in his possession to security agencies.

According to Adeyemi, he wants the relevant authorities to verify the authenticity of the documents and establish the truth behind the controversy.

He also expressed surprise that an agency publicly described by the Presidency as non-existent was included in the 2026 national budget.

Adeyemi argued that he could not have influenced the budget process because he was allegedly detained for 23 days during the period the appropriation bill was being prepared and defended.

The House of Representatives has since constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate how the agency obtained a budget allocation estimated at ₦1,302,978,000 under the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Lawmakers directed the committee to summon officials from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Budget Office to explain how the agency passed the necessary verification processes.

The House also instructed the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation not to release any funds to the disputed agency until investigations are concluded.

In addition, lawmakers resolved that future Appropriation Bills should include documentation showing the legal basis for every Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) seeking government funding.

While the House moved swiftly with its investigation, the Senate declined to launch a separate inquiry.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin ruled that lawmakers should wait for the outcome of the ongoing ICPC investigation before taking further legislative action.

The controversy has also attracted political reactions.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the decision to allow the ICPC to handle the investigation, arguing that an independent panel would inspire greater public confidence.

Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) questioned the credibility of an executive-led investigation and called for an independent inquiry involving legal experts, civil society organisations and opposition parties.