The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee probing the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has resolved to interrogate its alleged Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, at a private venue and on a date that will not be made public.
Committee Chairman Hon. Yusuf Gagdi disclosed this position on Tuesday during the panel’s ongoing public hearing. He explained that Adeyemi remains in police custody under a valid court order, making it impossible for the lawmakers to compel his appearance at the National Assembly without breaching the doctrine of separation of powers.
“For the benefit of the general public, we are not refusing to invite Prince Adeniyi here. We have pronounced him to appear here and police have responded that he is in their custody based on the court order,” Gagdi stated. He emphasised that the legislature would not attempt to vacate or disregard an existing judicial directive.
“As an arm of government, we respect the principle of federalism and separation of powers. We respect the powers of the judiciary and the executive, and we equally limit ourselves within our own powers. We do not have the power as the National Assembly to vacate an existing court order and say that somebody who is in the custody of the Nigerian Police should leave the police to appear before the National Assembly,” the lawmaker added.
Instead of a public session, the committee will arrange a private interaction with Adeyemi. Gagdi said the meeting would be conducted with full regard for ongoing investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other agencies, as well as related matters already before the courts.
“We will not announce to the general public when we will interact with Prince Adeniyi. We will not, because the ICPC are investigating this matter. EFCC are investigating this matter. Part of this matter is before the court of law and many other agencies,” he noted. The session will be recorded in the presence of Adeyemi’s legal representatives, with the police duly notified in advance.
Gagdi stressed that the priority remains obtaining clarity on the allegations of forgery, impersonation, financial impropriety and abuse of public institutions levelled against Adeyemi and the entity presented as the PFIPC. “Whether he appears before this committee or this committee appears before him, the most important thing is to have an interaction with him to get some things clarified. And we are going to do just that,” he said.
Earlier in the hearing, the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, told the committee that he allegedly paid N400 million to Adeyemi. Collins claimed the payment followed assurances of a contract to renovate and furnish what was presented to him as the official residence of the PFIPC chief executive.
The Ad-Hoc Committee, which has been receiving testimonies and examining documents related to the alleged operations of the PFIPC, indicated that it would continue its public hearing on Thursday. Gagdi said the panel intends to conclude outstanding engagements within the week and prepare its final report for presentation to the House of Representatives after the legislature resumes from its current break.
The investigation has drawn significant public attention because of the serious nature of the claims surrounding the creation and activities of an entity said to have operated under the guise of a presidential investment promotion body. Lawmakers have maintained that their inquiry is aimed at establishing the facts, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring accountability without interfering with parallel criminal probes or judicial processes.
By choosing a private engagement with Adeyemi while he remains in lawful custody, the committee has signalled its determination to balance legislative oversight with respect for the constitutional boundaries that separate the arms of government. The outcome of the planned interaction, together with other evidence already gathered, is expected to shape the recommendations the panel will eventually place before the full House.
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