Fresh revelations have emerged in the House of Representatives’ investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria distancing themselves from the council’s establishment and operations.
Appearing before the House ad hoc committee, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service said it had no constitutional mandate to establish government agencies. A representative told lawmakers, “The approval and establishment of agencies is not within the purview of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.”
The office disclosed that PFIPC’s request for approval of its organisational structure was rejected because the required documents were not submitted. It also said the documents presented as the council’s legal foundation “did not really carry the requisite features”, while denying deploying staff or providing office accommodation for the body.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, meanwhile, said two foreign currency accounts opened for the council at the request of the Office of the Accountant-General were never activated.
According to a CBN representative, the accounts “remain inactive with zero balance and have never been operated” because authorised signatories were not provided.
Following the submissions, the committee directed the CBN to provide complete records of all accounts linked to the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. Committee Chairman Abdulmalik Danga said, “This committee wants the complete records”, as lawmakers continue their investigation into the council’s legal status and activities.
