Fresh details have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, as the House of Representatives uncovered new information surrounding the body’s operations and budget approvals.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson Jack, disclosed on Monday that representatives of the council participated in the 2026 federal budget process and obtained approval for a workforce of 314 positions.
She made the revelation in Abuja during the inauguration of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, which is investigating the establishment, operations and budgetary activities of the council.
Mrs Walson Jack explained that while the Office of the Head of the Civil Service is not responsible for creating government agencies, the council had written to her office on August 6, 2025, requesting approval of its organisational structure. She noted that the request was initially rejected because the required supporting documents were not submitted.
According to her, the council later met the necessary administrative requirements, leading to the approval of an establishment comprising 314 positions. The approved structure included 14 officers already serving in the organisation and an additional 300 positions.
She further revealed that records from the Organisation Design and Development Department confirmed that the approved establishment document was collected by an individual who represented the council.
Mrs Walson Jack also stated that representatives of the council participated in the 2025 Annual Manpower Budget Defence Exercise. She explained that the delegation was led by a woman who identified herself as the Deputy Director of Administration and later appeared before officials of the Organisation Design and Development Department during the manpower defence process.
Despite these engagements, she maintained that she only became aware of the council’s existence after the controversy surrounding it became public and she reviewed the available records.
She explained that after the manpower defence exercise, officials examined the request in line with established administrative procedures. As part of the fourth batch of approvals covering 88 ministries, departments and agencies, the council’s workforce structure received approval on July 18, 2025, by the Permanent Secretary overseeing the Office of the Head of the Civil Service at the time.
The Head of Service stressed that her office never deployed any personnel to the council, explaining that recruitment and staff postings follow separate government procedures. She added that salaries and employee benefits fall under the responsibility of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, while the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission determines the remuneration of political office holders and chief executives.
She also clarified that the office space occupied by the council at Phase Three of the Federal Secretariat was part of the accommodation previously allocated to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation through a letter dated November 16, 2023. According to her, matters concerning the council’s establishment, supervision and administration remain the responsibility of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other relevant government institutions.
Mrs Walson Jack disclosed that Mrs Patricia Akhigbe, under whose supervision the approval process took place, has been released to the Nigeria Police for questioning alongside Jacob Oluwafemi David as investigations continue.
Representing the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr Yemi Cardoso, the Director of Banking Services, Mr Hamisu Abdullahi, informed the committee that the apex bank opened two accounts for the council, a United States dollar domiciliary account and a Pound Sterling account.
He explained that the request to open the accounts came from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation through a letter dated July 29, 2025, and was received by the bank on July 30, 2025. After completing its standard verification procedures, the accounts were opened, but both have remained inactive without any deposits or withdrawals.
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Mr Musa Aliyu, also informed lawmakers that the commission had commenced investigations by gathering relevant documents and engaging key officials connected to the matter. He appealed to the committee to allow the commission additional time to conclude its preliminary findings before presenting its report.
Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Majority Leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, reaffirmed the commitment of the House to transparency, accountability and public participation.
He noted that the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council had generated widespread public interest, particularly over its legal status, institutional mandate, operational framework, relationship with existing government agencies and its inclusion in the federal budget despite questions surrounding its establishment.
According to the Speaker, the committee was established to determine the facts rather than fuel public speculation or pursue political interests. He urged members to conduct the investigation fairly, protect the rights of all witnesses and ensure that every affected party is given an opportunity to present its case.
He stressed that the credibility of parliamentary oversight depends on the integrity of the investigative process and reaffirmed the House’s determination to ensure that all public institutions remain accountable to Nigerians.
At the close of the session, the committee resolved to invite the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Director General of the Budget Office, the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, among other senior government officials.
The investigative hearing is scheduled to continue on Tuesday at 10 a.m. with the expected appearance of the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation. The committee also directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure the attendance of the two officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service whose roles are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
