State House, FRSC Disown Documents Used by Foreign Promotion Council

The State House has disowned letters allegedly issued in its name to facilitate the establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the documents as fake.

The State House Director of Administration, Mr Abdullahi Idris, disclosed this on Thursday at a public hearing by the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the establishment and operations of the council in Abuja.

Idris told the committee that letters purportedly signed by one Akanbi Adewale, described as Director of Administration and Support Services, and used to request budget codes from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Budget Office, did not originate from the State House.

He said there was no department known as Administration and Support Services in the State House.

Idris, who submitted a list of directors of administration who had served at the State House since 2003, said no person named Akanbi Adewale had ever occupied the position of Director of Administration at the institution.

Also testifying, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Shehu Idris, confirmed that the commission issued seven government number plates to the council.

He explained that the council submitted documents, including an establishment Act, office address and other supporting papers, as part of the requirements for obtaining the number plates.

According to him, FRSC officials conducted a physical inspection of the address provided and found the council operating there before the plates were issued.

The Corps Marshal said the commission only discovered that the establishment Act presented by the council was allegedly fake after reports about the matter emerged in the media.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), urged government agencies to strengthen their verification procedures to prevent fraudsters from impersonating public institutions.

Gagdi advised the agencies to remain vigilant and thoroughly authenticate documents presented by individuals or organisations claiming to operate under their authority.

The committee adjourned the hearing until Aug. 13, when Gagdi said all agencies and individuals linked to the matter would be invited to appear before the panel for direct questioning.