By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has admitted that her office failed to carry out adequate due diligence before approving recruitment requests linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), as the House of Representatives moves to conclude its investigation into the alleged scandal.
The House Ad-hoc Committee investigating the PFIPC said it would rely on documentary evidence and reports from security agencies in concluding its probe, despite not taking testimony from the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the self-acclaimed Director-General of the council, Adeyemi Adeniyi.
Appearing before the committee on Wednesday, Walson-Jack acknowledged that her office approved an Authorised Establishment and Recruitment Waiver after relying on documents, including a purported Establishment Act and appointment letter, presented by representatives of the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
“Having now seen all the facts and examined all the documents, we concede that we ought to have carried out more due diligence in issuing the Authorised Establishment and Recruitment Waiver to the PEAC/PFIPC,” she told lawmakers.
She explained that the Office of the Head of Service believed the documents were genuine because they bore the names “PEAC/PFIPC,” noting that the existence of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council contributed to the confusion.
Meanwhile, the committee said it would unveil its preliminary findings next week, relying on documentary evidence and submissions from relevant security agencies, while awaiting the outcome of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) investigation ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
The committee also accepted the explanation of the Nigeria Police Force on why Adeyemi was not produced before lawmakers, after the police disclosed that the suspect remains in custody under a valid order of the Federal High Court.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola told the panel that the police could only produce Adeyemi after obtaining the appropriate court authorisation.
Committee Chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, said the panel would immediately begin the legal process to obtain the necessary court order, adding that the House would continue engaging relevant security agencies before submitting its final report.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) criticised the House investigation, describing it as an unnecessary duplication of the ongoing ICPC probe.
CACOL Chairman, Debo Adeniran, argued that the anti-graft agency has the statutory mandate and technical capacity to investigate the allegations, urging the National Assembly to allow the commission to complete its work without interference.
He maintained that while lawmakers have oversight responsibilities, criminal investigations should be left to agencies legally empowered to gather evidence, establish facts and determine whether prosecutions are necessary, stressing that anyone found culpable after due investigation should be held accountable, regardless of status or political affiliation.
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