The Nigerian Senate has declined to investigate the alleged fake agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), stating the matter falls under executive jurisdiction. Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Chairman, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the controversy over the agency's inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Act originated in the executive and must be resolved there. He confirmed media reports that the PFIPC had a budget line despite never being established by the Federal Government. Adaramodu emphasized that the National Assembly did not create the budget line and does not conduct security vetting for appointments to ministries, departments, and agencies.
The Senate will not act unless a formal petition is submitted, Adaramodu said, adding that the matter is now in litigation, which restricts legislative interference under Senate rules. He noted the dispute is primarily between the Office of the Chief of Staff and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the agency's Director-General. No screening or confirmation process in the Senate involved Adeyemi, removing legislative responsibility, according to Adaramodu.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the PFIPC and report back within 30 days. Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that the agency had no legal backing, presidential approval, or executive authorisation. Tinubu ordered the probe to identify all collaborators and ensure those found culpable are dealt with according to the law. The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has denied knowledge of the agency or its alleged director-general.
Sen. Yemi Adaramodu says the Senate won't probe an agency it never approved, yet allowed a budget line for it to pass without scrutiny. The same lawmakers who now defer to the executive were responsible for passing the 2026 Appropriation Act containing the fictitious council. If the Senate did not vet the existence of the agency or its director, its oversight function is reduced to rubber-stamping. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi's claim to lead PFIPC gains indirect legitimacy from the state's own financial endorsement.
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