Senate declines motion to probe N1.3 billion budget allocation for alleged fake agency PFIPC

The Senate on Wednesday refused to immediately investigate the inclusion of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 Appropriation Act, opting instead to wait for the outcome of an ongoing probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The decision came during plenary after Senator Kawu Sumaila (APC, Kano South) moved a motion seeking a probe into how the purported agency got a N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 national budget.

Senator Sumaila raises alarm over budget credibility

While presenting his motion, Senator Sumaila argued that the controversy surrounding the alleged agency had raised serious questions about the credibility of Nigeria's budget preparation and appropriation process. He noted that despite the Presidency publicly disowning the PFIPC, the agency was still listed in the 2026 Appropriation Act under Budget Code 0111062001 with an allocation of N1.3 billion.

“Senate notes that notwithstanding the executive's public disapproval of this agency, the entirety was incorporated in the 2026 Appropriation Act under Code 0111062001 with a budgetary allocation of N1.3 billion,” Sumaila said.

He urged the Senate to investigate how the budget proposal was introduced, scrutinised and approved, and to determine whether any funds had been released or spent under the budget line.

Deputy Senate President urges patience

Responding, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, said the Presidency had already initiated an investigation through the ICPC. “As I said earlier, the presidency has taken up this matter by directing that the ICPC should investigate fully how this matter came to be,” Barau said.

He added that the Senate should allow the anti-graft agency to complete its work before taking any legislative action. “And I think ICPC has started. I believe that what we need to do at this stage is to have the report of the ICPC, and then we can act on that report and deal with it as we feel appropriate.”

Controversy deepens over PFIPC existence

The controversy escalated after Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew publicly challenged the Presidency's position that the organisation never existed. During a media briefing last week, Adeyemi accused Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of issuing conflicting statements regarding both the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), and called for an independent investigation.

He also alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded money in connection with his purported appointment, claiming the Chief of Staff received N400 million through intermediaries and requested an additional N200 million. The allegations have not been substantiated, and Gbajabiamila has consistently denied any involvement.

Adeyemi further questioned the Presidency's insistence that the PFIPC did not exist, arguing that references to both the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

ICPC probe widens beyond PFIPC

President Tinubu's directive to the ICPC extends beyond the activities of Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew. The anti-corruption commission has been mandated to investigate the authenticity of appointment letters and other official government documents allegedly used by those behind the scheme, as well as claims of presidential appointments that may have been used to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.

The probe will also examine the opening and operation of bank accounts linked to the purported agency, trace the movement of any funds connected to the matter, and determine whether public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals played any role in facilitating or legitimising the alleged activities.

Beyond identifying those directly involved, the President also directed the ICPC to review weaknesses in government procedures that may have enabled the alleged scheme to gain credibility and recommend reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. All Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the commission with all relevant records, documents and assistance required for the timely completion of its investigation.

For Nigerian taxpayers and businesses, the saga raises fresh concerns about the integrity of the budget process and how an unfunded, unrecognised agency could secure a N1.3 billion allocation without detection. The outcome of the ICPC probe could determine whether tougher safeguards are introduced to prevent similar breaches in future appropriation cycles.