By Ado Oyeyemi
Adeniyi Adeyemi, the embattled self-appointed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, has insisted that his lawyers and journalists must be present before he will submit to questioning by the House of Representatives committee investigating the council.
The development came as the House Ad Hoc Committee continued preparations to interrogate Adeyemi over the alleged activities of the PFIPC, including how the organisation obtained government office space and a budgetary provision of over N1.32bn in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite questions over its legal status.
The committee, headed by the member representing Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi, is yet to determine the venue for Adeyemi’s appearance.
A source familiar with the committee’s proceedings confirmed on Sunday that no decision had been reached on where the interrogation would take place.
“No decision yet,” the source said when asked whether a venue had been selected.
Adeyemi is currently in police custody over allegations connected with the PFIPC controversy and is expected to appear before the lawmakers this week.
Before his appearance, the committee has taken evidence from several senior government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack; the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu; the Director of Banking Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Hamisu Abdullahi; and representatives of the Inspector-General of Police.
Their testimonies have reportedly raised questions about how Adeyemi allegedly presented himself as the head of a government-linked organisation and gained access to official institutions and processes.
Adeyemi’s legal representatives had earlier communicated his readiness to face the lawmakers but insisted that the proceedings should be conducted openly and in the presence of his lawyers and members of the media.
His lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, had criticised plans by the committee to question his client at an undisclosed location while he remained in police detention.
Oyedokun argued that Adeyemi should be allowed to respond publicly to allegations that had already been made against him in public.
The lawyer said his client was willing to answer questions but objected to what he described as a closed-door interrogation.
The committee had earlier explained that the decision to question Adeyemi at an undisclosed location was influenced by the fact that he remained in police custody under a court order.
Gagdi said the lawmakers would not interfere with ongoing investigations by the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He also maintained that the National Assembly could not disregard an existing court order concerning Adeyemi’s detention.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties has criticised the ICPC’s handling of the PFIPC matter and called for a wider investigation into the controversy.
The CUPP spokesperson, Agu Bryan, said the anti-corruption agency’s reported decision to clear the Presidency while indicting Adeyemi failed to address fundamental questions surrounding the operation of the council.
Bryan argued that Adeyemi could not have allegedly operated an organisation of such magnitude without assistance from individuals within government institutions.
He called for scrutiny of the roles of institutions including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the CBN and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The coalition also questioned how an organisation whose legal existence was reportedly in doubt secured a place in the national budget.
Bryan demanded explanations from the National Assembly and relevant government agencies over the processes through which the PFIPC allegedly obtained a budgetary allocation exceeding N1.32bn.
He further questioned how the council allegedly recruited hundreds of workers and gained access to official government activities.
The CUPP spokesperson said investigators should go beyond determining whether Adeyemi forged documents and establish how he allegedly gained access to government structures and officials.
The controversy deepened following reports that a signature attributed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was forged.
Bryan said the development should prompt investigators to examine other documents and official correspondence allegedly used by Adeyemi.
He also called for an independent investigation involving professional bodies if the Federal Government wanted the matter thoroughly resolved.
According to him, the key issue is not only Adeyemi’s alleged actions but also whether government officials or institutions enabled him to operate.
Adeyemi’s family has also protested against attempts to question him without his lawyers present.
His brother, Peter, alleged that the House committee previously visited Adeyemi in police custody but that he declined to answer questions because his legal representatives were absent.
He insisted that Adeyemi was not avoiding the investigation but wanted to respond to the allegations under conditions that would allow his lawyers to participate.
The police spokesperson, Ani Ineidu, said lawmakers or other visitors could gain access to a detainee if they satisfied the necessary requirements.
He explained that persons in police custody were entitled to visitors, subject to the required authorisation and conditions.
The House committee’s investigation centres on allegations surrounding the creation and activities of the PFIPC, including claims of impersonation, forgery, financial irregularities and unauthorised use of government facilities and official insignia.
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Adeyemi’s eventual appearance before the lawmakers is expected to provide an opportunity for the committee to hear his side of the allegations and determine how the controversial council allegedly secured recognition, operated within government structures and obtained public funds.
