The House of Representatives has summoned the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to explain why it allegedly failed to act on security alerts concerning the activities of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) before the organisation became the centre of a national scandal.
Lawmakers expressed concern that despite reports warning about the operations of the group, the necessary security response was not activated early enough to prevent it from allegedly presenting itself as a government-backed agency.
The House Committee investigating the matter said it was important to determine whether intelligence reports were ignored or whether there were lapses in communication among relevant government agencies.
Members of the committee maintained that the investigation is aimed at uncovering how the PFIPC allegedly operated for an extended period while claiming official recognition and interacting with both local and foreign interests.
Lawmakers also questioned why early warnings reportedly issued by concerned stakeholders failed to trigger immediate action from security authorities before the controversy escalated.
The committee noted that the investigation would help establish whether there were institutional failures that allowed the alleged fake agency to operate unchecked, adding that those responsible would be held accountable if negligence is established.
The lawmakers further directed that officials from ONSA appear before the committee to provide a detailed account of the intelligence available to the office, the actions taken, and the reasons behind any delay in responding to the reported security concerns.
The House also resolved to invite other relevant agencies connected to the matter as it broadens its investigation into the operations of the PFIPC and its alleged dealings with government institutions.
The lawmakers stressed that the probe is intended to protect the integrity of public institutions and prevent individuals or organisations from exploiting government identity to deceive Nigerians or foreign investors.
They added that the outcome of the investigation could lead to recommendations for tighter security coordination, improved verification procedures and stronger safeguards against the emergence of similar organisations in the future.