The Senate on Wednesday turned down a motion aimed at looking into how ₦1.3 billion was allocated for the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 budget.
Most senators voted against the motion during a voice vote in the plenary session.
Kawu Sumaila, the senator from Kano South Senatorial District, sponsored the motion. It was suspended because the matter is already in court and the Presidency is investigating the issue.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said any parliamentary investigation at this point could interfere with the ongoing court case. He said, "The fake agency has been making rounds. Unfortunately, the issue has been overtaken by events. The culprit has been charged in court so that it will become sub judice. The president has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the subject matter from the formation of the fake agency all the way to budgetary and offices, and opening of accounts and all that. So, that is also being done."
He added, "If we go into it now, we will probably be jumping the gun because the prosecution is ongoing."
This is the second time the Senate has rejected calls to look into the allocation. The first time, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin ruled against it. He said President Bola Tinubu had already asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate.
Mr Sumaila, the motion's sponsor, insisted that the Senate should not shy away from the issue since it approved the budget where the allocation was made.
Senate rules, especially Order 47, say debates on matters already before the courts should not happen. But the legislature can still investigate independently as long as it does not interfere with ongoing court cases.
Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of faking government appointment letters and pretending to be the director-general of the fake agency, was arrested after a court order.
The police took Mr Adeyemi and two others to the Federal High Court on eight charges. The case, filed on 27 November 2025, is set for hearing on 27 July. Mr Adeyemi had gone into hiding after being declared wanted.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu defended the National Assembly’s part in the agency’s budget allocation. He said the ₦1.3 billion was not recommended or added by lawmakers.
Mr Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South Senatorial District, stated that lawmakers are not responsible for security checks on individuals appointed to run government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Therefore, they cannot be blamed for the controversy.
He said the National Assembly would not be involved in the matter since it is already in court.
The House of Representatives is also looking into this issue.
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