The House of Representatives committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council has cleared the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of involvement in the activities of the purported agency.

The Ad Hoc Committee investigating the matter said it found no evidence that Gbajabiamila approved, established or participated in the activities of the council, which was allegedly included in the Federal Government’s budget framework.

The committee chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed the findings on Wednesday while presenting the panel’s preliminary report at a press briefing televised by TVC.

According to the committee, its investigation established that there was no valid law, executive order, administrative instrument or other lawful authority creating an institution known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

The lawmakers also said the purported agency had operated without a legitimate legal foundation, despite claims surrounding its activities and alleged links to government structures.

While clearing Gbajabiamila, the committee said its investigation had uncovered several irregularities surrounding the organisation and its purported Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

The panel disclosed that about 58 bank accounts had been linked through Bank Verification Number details and other identifying information to Adeyemi.

The committee also uncovered an alleged N400m transaction which it said may have involved fraudulent representations.

The investigation further revealed concerns over documents allegedly used to give the purported council an appearance of legitimacy.

The findings come amid a wider investigation into how the organisation gained access to government processes and was reportedly associated with the Federal Government’s budget framework despite the absence of a valid legal instrument establishing it.

The committee said it had relied on documentary evidence, oral testimony, financial records and information obtained from government institutions, private organisations, purported employees and alleged victims during its investigation.

The panel’s findings also raised questions about the number of people who were presented or represented as employees of the purported organisation and the financial activities allegedly connected to its leadership.

The development follows an earlier investigation into the activities of the purported council, which led to concerns about alleged forgery, impersonation and the misuse of government identities and documents.

The House committee said its preliminary findings were intended to establish the facts surrounding the creation and operation of the organisation and determine whether public institutions or officials were involved in facilitating its activities.

However, the clearance of Gbajabiamila means the committee found no evidence linking the President’s Chief of Staff to the establishment or operation of the purported council.

The investigation remains significant because of the alleged financial transactions and the discovery of numerous bank accounts linked to the organisation’s purported director-general.

The House is expected to proceed with its investigation and make further recommendations after considering the evidence gathered by the committee.

The case has continued to attract attention because of questions surrounding the alleged inclusion of the purported agency in government processes and the identities of individuals who may have interacted with or benefited from its activities.

The latest findings therefore clear Gbajabiamila of involvement while placing renewed focus on the activities and financial dealings allegedly connected to the purported agency and its director-general.