Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), has rejected plans by a House of Representatives ad hoc committee to question him in private while he remains in police custody.
Through his lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, Adeyemi said he welcomed the National Assembly’s investigation into the alleged establishment and activities of the PFIPC but insisted that any questioning should take place during a public hearing.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oyedokun argued that fairness required his client to respond openly to allegations that had been made against him during the committee’s public proceedings.
He urged the committee to reconsider its decision to conduct the interview at an undisclosed location, maintaining that Adeyemi should be given the same public platform on which accusations against him had been presented.
The lawyer also called on the committee to invoke its constitutional powers under Section 89 of the Constitution to compel the Nigeria Police Force to produce Adeyemi before lawmakers.
According to him, his client is prepared to appear before the committee on any date fixed, accompanied by legal counsel, to answer questions relating to the House investigation.
Oyedokun distinguished between the legislative inquiry and the ongoing criminal investigations, noting that allegations against Adeyemi would be addressed before the Federal High Court and relevant law enforcement agencies.
He said the House inquiry was focused on how the PFIPC was created and whether any government officials recognised or acted on its activities, matters he argued should be examined transparently in the public interest.
The lawyer added that although his client would rely on legal advice in responding to issues that are already before the courts or investigative agencies, this should not justify conducting the entire legislative hearing behind closed doors.
He further questioned the legality of Adeyemi’s continued detention, arguing that the bench warrant cited by the police only authorised his arrest and appearance before the Federal High Court, rather than indefinite detention without being brought before a judge.
The House of Representatives ad hoc committee had announced on Tuesday that it would question Adeyemi at a confidential location while he remains in police custody.
Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi said the arrangement was intended to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to Gagdi, lawmakers had invited Adeyemi to appear before the committee but were informed that he was being held in custody under a court order. He maintained that the National Assembly would not take any action capable of undermining judicial proceedings or breaching the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
The committee is investigating allegations surrounding the establishment and operations of the PFIPC, including claims of impersonation, forgery, financial misconduct and the alleged unauthorised use of government facilities and official insignia.
