The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has explained why the alleged self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, was not produced before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the purported agency.
The explanation was contained in a letter read before the committee on Wednesday after Adeniyi failed to appear before lawmakers as previously directed.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, who read the letter during the session, said the police informed the panel that Adeniyi remains in custody over an ongoing investigation into alleged conspiracy and forgery.
According to him, the suspect could not honour the committee’s invitation because he is being detained under a valid court remand order.
“The first leg of the investigation is conspiracy and forgery, which is what has taken the man into custody. We are a respecter of the principle of the separation of powers,” Gagdi said.
He explained that the police correspondence was read publicly to clarify that Adeniyi did not deliberately ignore the committee’s summons.
“I decided to read the letter so that members of the press would not say the man failed to show up. We have proceedings and procedures,” he added.
Gagdi further quoted the IGP as stating that Adeniyi could only appear before the lawmakers if the subsisting court order remanding him was vacated.
“The IG said the man is in custody because of a standing court order. He stated that the court remanded him, and that is why he is in custody. So, for him to be here, the court order has to be vacated before he can be brought to the National Assembly,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed that the committee would not interfere with the ongoing police investigation or judicial process.
“We cannot tamper with the ongoing investigation. We respect the good jobs the Inspector-General of Police, the Police, DSS, ICPC, EFCC and the National Security Adviser are doing, and we would not undermine the whole process,” Gagdi stated.
He added that the committee would continue engaging the police and other relevant agencies to obtain updates and clarify outstanding issues before presenting its report.
“We will keep writing to you so that we have further reports and clarify grey areas. By next week, we can lay our report on the resumption of this case,” he said.
The House committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged PFIPC, including how it reportedly secured office space at the Federal Secretariat and received a ₦1.32 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite claims that it was never legally established as a government agency.
Adeniyi is also being investigated by the police over allegations of conspiracy, forgery and falsely presenting himself as the head of the purported council.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
