Walson-Jack, who noted she had appeared before the panel earlier, insisted that she stands by her previous submissions regarding the controversial issue.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Head of Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has refuted allegations that she allocated office space or authorised the deployment of staff to the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), headed by its purported Director-General, Adeyemi Adeniyi.
She made the clarification on Wednesday while appearing before the House of Representatives hearing investigating the PFIPC scandal.
Adeyemi had earlier claimed that he was legally appointed in 2024 to attract foreign investment, and was allocated a budget, office space, and staff.
He also alleged that he borrowed ₦400 million to secure his position, while accusing President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of corruption and falsehoods.
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Reacting to questions on the saga, Walson-Jack—apart from denying the allocation of office space and staff to Adeyemi—also stated that her office did not at any time issue an organisational structure to the PFIPC under Adeyemi.
She went on to state that she believes the pertinent issues needing clarification are those of “unauthorised establishment and the issuance of a recruitment waiver”.
Addressing the lawmakers, Walson-Jack said: “I was here earlier, and we still stand by everything we said then, but I do believe that a few more details will help clarify these issues.
“We are happy to state that all that we said regarding the issue of deployment—to summarise, there was no deployment; regarding office accommodation, we did not provide office accommodation; and regarding organisational structure, we did not issue any organisational structure.
“The issues that I believe we need to clarify are those of unauthorised establishment and the issuance of a recruitment waiver. So, if you would kindly indulge me, I would like to address that portion which we have not previously stated, and I will also offer a more detailed explanation.”
