The man accused of posing as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has rejected plans by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee to question him behind closed doors while in police custody, insisting that any appearance before lawmakers must be conducted publicly.
Adeyemi, through his lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, said he welcomed the ongoing parliamentary investigation into the controversial council but opposed the committee’s decision to interview him at an undisclosed location.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oyedokun argued that his client deserved the same public platform afforded to other witnesses who had testified during the House’s open hearings.
He maintained that allegations against Adeyemi had been made publicly and fairness required that he be allowed to respond before Nigerians.
“We have read that the committee intends to interview our client at an undisclosed date and place. We respectfully ask it to reconsider. Everyone else in this matter has spoken in public, and the allegations against our client were also made publicly. He should be allowed to answer them in the same forum,” the lawyer said.
Oyedokun urged the committee to invoke its constitutional powers under Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution to compel the Nigeria Police Force to produce Adeyemi at a public hearing.
According to him, Adeyemi is prepared to appear with his legal team and respond to questions relating to the committee’s investigation.
He, however, noted that issues directly connected to the criminal charges pending before the Federal High Court and investigations by law enforcement agencies would be addressed through the appropriate legal channels.
The lawyer stressed that while criminal allegations would be determined in court, the House inquiry into how the PFIPC was established and whether government officials dealt with it was a separate matter that deserved public scrutiny.
He also questioned the legality of Adeyemi’s continued detention, arguing that the bench warrant obtained by the police only authorised his arrest and production before the Federal High Court, not his prolonged detention without appearing before a judge.
According to him, no court has issued or served any remand order committing his client to custody.
The House committee had on Tuesday announced plans to interrogate Adeyemi at a confidential location while he remains in police custody.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said the arrangement was intended to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Gagdi explained that the committee had invited Adeyemi but was informed that he remained in custody under a court order, adding that the National Assembly would not undermine judicial proceedings or violate the principle of separation of powers.
The ad hoc committee is investigating the establishment and operations of the controversial PFIPC, including allegations of impersonation, forgery, financial misconduct and the unlawful use of government facilities and official insignia.
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