FRSC: “We Acted in Good Faith” — How Alleged Fake Agency PFIPC Got Seven FG Number Plates

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has defended its decision to issue seven official Federal Government number plates to the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, saying approvals were granted after standard verification based on documents that appeared authentic at the time.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed made the explanation in a memorandum to the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged fraudulent establishment of PFIPC and its inclusion in the federal budget.

—“We Followed Due Process”—

Mohammed told lawmakers the Corps strictly follows SOPs for allocating FG plates. For new agencies, an enabling law or legal instrument must also be provided.

He said the process began with a letter dated April 4, 2025 from the “Office of the Director-General, Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council,” signed by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, requesting official plates. A follow-up reminder dated April 11, 2025 came with documents purportedly establishing the council, its mandate, and a list of vehicles.

Adeyemi personally delivered the request to FRSC headquarters in Abuja.

As part of verification, FRSC officers checked the council’s website, which carried a Federal Government domain and listed President *Bola Tinubu*, the SGF, Head of Service and several ministers as board members. Officers also conducted a physical inspection of an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, CBD, Abuja, and found it operational.

“Having completed the verification processes and being satisfied with the information presented, the Corps approved and allocated seven Official Federal Government Vehicle Number Plates to the agency,” Mohammed said.

The plates, PFIPC 01 to PFIPC 07, were assigned to: one 2024 bulletproof Lexus LX, two Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, and four Toyota Hilux vehicles after chassis verification.

—“It Was a Shock”—

The Corps Marshal said it later came as “a profound shock” to discover that PFIPC was not an approved Federal Government agency and that Adeyemi’s representations were false.

He disclosed that FRSC has commenced administrative processes to retrieve all seven plates and has strengthened internal verification procedures to prevent a recurrence.

—State House: “We Knew Nothing About PFIPC”—

In a separate testimony, the State House distanced the Presidency from the council. Representing the Permanent Secretary, Director of Administration Abdulkadri Idris told the committee the Presidency never requested a budget code for PFIPC from the Accountant-General’s Office.

“We did not send any correspondence or request to the Accountant-General regarding this council. We knew nothing about it until it appeared in media reports,” Idris said.

He dismissed documents tendered before the committee as fake, particularly a letter allegedly signed by one *“Akande Adewale”* as Director of Administration and Support Services. Idris said no such official has ever served in the State House, and no such directorate exists in its structure. Records from 2003 to date were submitted to back the claim.

The State House also denied issuing any appointment letter to Adeyemi, noting that DG appointments are political and communicated only through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

—Committee Faults Verification—

Committee Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, described the discrepancies as “significant.” He noted that the Accountant-General’s Office responded to correspondence from a directorate the State House says does not exist.

Gagdi also questioned why FRSC relied on documents that lacked government security features and listed top government officials as PFIPC board members.

“Does this look normal to you?” he asked.
Mohammed replied: “No, not at all,” but insisted the Corps acted in good faith based on the website, office, and vehicle verification.

The committee has directed FRSC to provide the current status and location of all vehicles registered to PFIPC.

Gagdi announced the panel will conclude its investigation next Wednesday and directed the Clerk to invite all relevant agencies for the final hearing.