Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), has rejected plans by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee to question him behind closed doors while he remains in police custody.
Through his lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, Adeyemi said he welcomed the National Assembly’s investigation into the controversial council but insisted any appearance before lawmakers should be conducted publicly.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oyedokun argued that since allegations against his client had been made during open committee sessions, he should also be given the opportunity to respond in public.
“Everyone else in this matter has been heard in public, and what has been said about our client was said in public. He should be allowed to answer in the same place it was said,” the lawyer stated.
He urged the committee to invoke its powers under Section 89 of the Constitution to compel the Nigeria Police Force to produce Adeyemi before a public hearing.
According to him, Adeyemi is prepared to appear with his legal team and answer questions relating to the committee’s investigation.
While noting that the criminal allegations against his client would be addressed before the Federal High Court and other investigative agencies, Oyedokun maintained that the House inquiry into how the PFIPC was created and whether government officials dealt with it should be transparent.
“Our client does not ask the committee to compromise any investigation. He will answer in public the questions this committee was constituted to ask, while reserving, on legal advice, responses to issues already before the court or investigative agencies,” he said.
The lawyer also challenged the legality of Adeyemi’s continued detention, arguing that the bench warrant obtained by the police authorised only his arrest and appearance before the Federal High Court, not his prolonged detention.
He claimed no court had issued or served any remand order on his client.
The House committee had earlier announced plans to question Adeyemi at an undisclosed 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).
Gagdi explained that lawmakers would not act in a way that could undermine ongoing judicial proceedings or violate the principle of separation of powers.
The committee is investigating the alleged establishment and operations of the PFIPC, including claims of impersonation, forgery, financial impropriety and the unauthorised use of government facilities and official insignia.
