The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed issuing seven official Federal Government number plates to vehicles linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), telling lawmakers that the approvals followed its established procedures.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed disclosed this on Thursday while appearing before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the creation and operations of the disputed council.
His testimony followed claims by businessman Gbenga Collins, who earlier informed the committee that he was picked up from the Abuja airport by PFIPC officials in vehicles bearing official government number plates.
Responding to lawmakers, Mohammed explained that the FRSC processed the application after receiving supporting documents, including a letter from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and another signed by the council’s alleged Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
According to him, the Corps also verified the council’s official website and confirmed its listed office address at the Federal Secretariat before approving the request and issuing the seven official number plates.
The committee summoned the FRSC after Collins alleged that he paid N400 million to Adeyemi to facilitate the award of a government contract.
Collins told lawmakers that after arriving in Abuja, he was transported in PFIPC vehicles carrying official government plates before Adeyemi presented him with a contract award letter, project details and an agreement for the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.
He further claimed that the money was requested as proof of his company’s financial capacity and to facilitate project mobilisation.
Chairman of the investigative panel, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that Adeyemi did not appear before the committee because he is currently in police custody and is also facing investigations by anti-corruption agencies.
The House committee is probing how the PFIPC allegedly operated without legal backing despite receiving a N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has submitted an interim report to President Bola Tinubu recommending Adeyemi’s prosecution after investigators allegedly found that documents used to establish the council, including its appointment letter and gazette, were forged.
