Pressure is mounting on the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) to invite the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking his office to the fake agency scandal.
The renewed calls came after the committee directed the Inspector-General of Police to produce the alleged promoter of the agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi, before lawmakers to answer questions arising from the ongoing investigation.
Although several top government officials have already appeared before the committee, critics argue that the investigation will remain incomplete unless Gbajabiamila is also invited to clarify allegations made during the probe.
According to reports, Adeyemi allegedly made statements linking the Chief of Staff to the attempted establishment of the controversial agency, prompting demands for lawmakers to hear directly from him.
Some observers also questioned why the police representative who appeared before the committee was not asked about the reported death of a key witness and the alleged demolition of a hotel believed to be relevant to the investigation.
Political analyst Jackson Ojo said summoning the Chief of Staff would help ensure transparency and allow him the opportunity to respond to allegations publicly.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) also called for wider accountability, urging the committee to invite other senior government officials connected to the matter as investigations continue.
The House committee is expected to continue its hearings this week as lawmakers seek to determine how the alleged fake agency reportedly secured official recognition, office accommodation and budgetary allocations despite lacking legal backing.