The House of Representatives Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) says it has uncovered 29 documents suspected to be forged.
Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi disclosed this on Monday during the resumed investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Committee uncovers suspected forged documents
According to Gagdi, the documents include approvals allegedly issued by the State House.
Others carry the names of the Office of the Head of Service, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance.
Lawmakers believe the documents formed part of an alleged plan to give legitimacy to the controversial council.
Lawmakers compare signatures
The committee also examined documents linked to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
Members compared the signatures on the disputed documents with genuine official correspondence provided by the Nigeria Police.
When lawmakers asked if the signatures matched, the police witness replied, “They are not the same.”
Gagdi said the discovery raised fresh concerns.
“So, it is not only a letter that was suspected to be forged?” he asked. “We are dealing with documents that include what is said to be a forged Act of the National Assembly in an attempt to establish a fake agency.”
Police confirm charges against Adeyemi
Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi represented the Inspector-General of Police before the committee.
He told lawmakers that the police had already filed an eight-count charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi at the Federal High Court.
“The Nigerian Police Force investigated part of this case late last year and filed eight-count charges before a Federal High Court,” he said. “The case is ongoing.”
Abdullahi confirmed that authorities arrested and arraigned Adeyemi. However, he declined to discuss details that could affect the ongoing trial.
Committee orders Adeyemi’s appearance
The committee directed Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to produce Adeyemi within 48 hours.
Gagdi said lawmakers needed the suspect to verify several disputed documents before completing their report.
“It is not an option now,” he said. “We will need him here to confirm some documents to us in such a way that will not undermine our investigation to enable us to submit our report on time.”
Meanwhile, representatives of several government agencies denied issuing the disputed documents.
Gagdi also assured Nigerians that the committee would continue its investigation without interfering with the police case.
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