The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, has cleared Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of allegations that he authorised, established or participated in the activities of the purported agency.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, said its preliminary investigation found no evidence connecting Gbajabiamila to the organisation or to the appointment of its purported Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

At the centre of the probe was a letter allegedly appointing Adeyemi as Director-General of PFIPC and purportedly carrying the authority and signature of the Chief of Staff.

But the committee said evidence obtained from the State House established that the letter was neither issued nor signed by Gbajabiamila.

The lawmakers also found that the document was not printed on authentic State House letterhead and contained a reference number inconsistent with the Presidency’s official correspondence system.

The committee stated that the documentary evidence before it did not establish that Gbajabiamila authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported organisation.

Instead, the panel said the Chief of Staff moved to trigger investigations after concerns about PFIPC were brought to his attention.

According to the committee, Gbajabiamila responded to an alert from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission by engaging the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The panel said he also directed administrative verification through relevant government institutions and took additional steps after further concerns emerged over the organisation and a proposed World Investment Summit.

The lawmakers consequently commended Gbajabiamila for what they described as timely security and administrative interventions, stressing that the evidence showed he acted to facilitate investigations rather than participate in the activities of the purported agency.

However, the committee emphasised that its findings remain preliminary.

It said its final report would establish the roles and responsibilities of individuals and institutions involved in the wider PFIPC controversy and determine whether further action is required.