Fake PFIPC: Reps pledge transparency, fair hearing as probe begins

The ad hoc committee set up by the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged illegal establishment of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has pledged to be transparent, and offer fair hearing to all parties as it commenced the probe.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, gave the assurance at its inauguration by Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen on Monday.

“Our mandate is to objectively examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged establishment and operations of the PFIPC, determine whether due constitutional and statutory processes were followed, engage all relevant stakeholders, carefully review the available evidence, and submit appropriate findings and recommendations to the House.

“We shall approach this assignment with an open mind, guided only by the constitution, the law, credible evidence and the overriding national interest.

“I wish to assure all stakeholders, and indeed Nigerians that this committee will discharge its assignment with absolute fairness, impartiality, professionalism, and integrity,” Gagdi said.

Represented by the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, to inaugurate the committee, Speaker Abbas said there have been lots of unanswered questions surrounding the existence of the phantom agency, especially the allocation to it, of over N1.3 billion in the 2026 budget.