Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The House of Representatives has commenced a clause-by-clause consideration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's executive bill seeking to establish state police services across the federation, marking a significant step in the ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria's internal security architecture. The House Committee on Constitution Review began the detailed legislative work on Monday, July 20, 2026, examining the provisions of the bill as part of efforts to review the 1999 Constitution. The bill, which was transmitted to the National Assembly by President Tinubu, proposes the creation of state police forces as a complement to the existing federal police structure, with lawmakers indicating they may adopt the Senate-passed version of the legislation with only minor adjustments.
The move comes after the House had earlier passed its own Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police on June 11, 2026, before the National Assembly proceeded on recess. However, lawmakers rescinded that decision on July 14, 2026, following the transmission of the Executive Bill by President Tinubu. The Committee on Constitution Review is now examining the revised State Police Service bill, which introduces Section 318 addressing interpretation, transitional provisions, and other measures to facilitate the operationalisation of the state police framework. The bill is expected to undergo rigorous scrutiny before being passed by the House and transmitted to the states for ratification as part of the constitutional amendment process.
In a parallel development, the House of Representatives has commenced a high-stakes investigation into the alleged establishment of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, following concerns by lawmakers that the council was created and operated without legal backing. The House Ad-hoc Committee investigating the disputed council has summoned the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other senior government officials to explain the alleged use of government office space by the PFIPC. The probe, which began with a public hearing on Monday, July 20, 2026, is examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged inclusion of the unestablished council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
During the committee's proceedings, the Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed that accounts linked to the controversial council have remained inactive with zero balance since their creation. Hamisu Abdullahi, a director at the apex bank, told the lawmakers that the CBN opened two domiciliary accounts—one in United States dollars and the other in Pound Sterling—for the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council on the directive of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. However, Abdullahi stated that the accounts never became operational because the council failed to submit the authorised signatories required to activate them. "Those two accounts remain inactive with zero balance and have never been operated," Abdullahi told the committee. "There have been no foreign exchange allocations, no remittances, no inflows and no outflows. The accounts have maintained zero balance from inception to date".
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, also appeared before the committee and exposed irregularities in the PFIPC's documentation. She disclosed that the council submitted a request for approval of its organisational structure on August 6, 2025, without providing the requisite documents. The committee has directed the CBN to submit comprehensive records of all accounts linked to both the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The PFIPC scandal has already led to the arrest of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who had been presenting himself as the Director-General of the council. Adeyemi is accused of forging government documents, including a purported appointment letter bearing the forged signature of the Chief of Staff to the President, to secure official recognition for the organisation. The scandal widened after investigations revealed that the council allegedly used the documents to engage several government institutions, including the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The 2026 Appropriation Act listed the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council under the presidency with a total budget of N1.3 billion.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the PFIPC scandal, giving the anti-corruption agency 30 days to conclude its probe. On Monday, July 20, 2026, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appeared before the ICPC to testify in the ongoing investigation. The House Ad-hoc Committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, has summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Finance, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and other key agencies to appear over issues relating to the operations and funding of the controversial council.
The twin legislative actions—the advancement of the state police bill and the probe into the PFIPC scandal—underscore the House of Representatives' commitment to addressing critical issues of national security and fiscal accountability. The state police bill represents a fundamental reform of Nigeria's security architecture, while the PFIPC investigation seeks to hold accountable those responsible for what has been described as one of the most embarrassing scandals of the Tinubu administration. As the committee continues its work, the nation watches closely to see whether the House will deliver on its promise of thorough oversight and meaningful legislative reform.
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