The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that it issued seven official Federal Government number plates to vehicles associated with the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that the approvals were granted in line with established procedures.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed disclosed this while appearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the establishment and activities of the controversial council.
His appearance followed claims by businessman Gbenga Collins, who told the lawmakers that he was picked up from the Abuja airport by officials of the PFIPC in vehicles bearing Federal Government number plates.
Addressing the committee, Mohammed said the FRSC received an application supported by a letter from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and another signed by the council’s alleged Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
He explained that before approving the request, the corps verified the information provided, including the council’s official website and its listed office address at the Federal Secretariat, after which seven government number plates were issued.
The committee had invited the FRSC to explain the issuance of the plates after Collins alleged that he paid Adeyemi ₦400 million to facilitate the award of a contract.
According to Collins, he travelled to Abuja after being contacted by Adeyemi and was received by PFIPC officials in government-plated vehicles. He said he was later presented with a contract award letter, details of the project and an agreement for the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.
Collins further alleged that Adeyemi requested the ₦400 million as evidence of his company’s financial capacity and to facilitate mobilisation for the project.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, informed members that Adeyemi could not appear before the panel because he is currently in police custody and is also under investigation by anti-corruption agencies.
The House is probing allegations that the PFIPC was established without legal backing despite reportedly receiving about ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has submitted an interim report on its investigation to President Bola Tinubu, recommending Adeyemi’s prosecution after preliminary findings allegedly indicated that documents used to establish the council, including its appointment letter and gazette, were forged.
