The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has admitted issuing seven official Federal Government number plates to vehicles linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying the approvals followed established procedures.
The disclosure was made on Thursday by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during his appearance before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged establishment and operations of the disputed council.
The FRSC was summoned after businessman Gbenga Collins told the committee on Wednesday that he was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by vehicles bearing official Federal Government number plates belonging to the PFIPC.
Responding to questions from lawmakers, Mohammed confirmed that the corps issued seven official number plates to the council after processing its application in line with standard operating procedures.
According to him, the FRSC received a formal request accompanied by a letter from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and another signed by the PFIPC’s alleged Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
He explained that the corps also verified the council’s official website and confirmed its listed office address at the Federal Secretariat before approving and issuing the number plates.
The committee’s investigation follows allegations by Collins that he paid ₦400 million to Adeyemi to facilitate the award of a government contract.
The businessman told lawmakers that after arriving in Abuja, he was transported in vehicles carrying Federal Government number plates before Adeyemi presented him with a contract award letter, details of the proposed 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 proof of his company’s capacity to execute the contract and to facilitate mobilisation.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, had earlier informed lawmakers that Adeyemi was absent from the hearing because he is currently in police custody and is also being investigated by anti-graft agencies.
The House panel is probing the circumstances surrounding the creation and operations of the PFIPC amid allegations that it operated without lawful authority despite 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 to President Bola Tinubu, recommending Adeyemi’s prosecution after preliminary findings allegedly revealed that documents used to establish the council, including its purported appointment letter and official gazette, were forged.
