The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) says it will question the council’s purported Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, at an undisclosed location while he remains in police custody.
The committee said it adopted the arrangement to avoid disrupting ongoing investigations by the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Committee explains decision
Lawmakers are investigating allegations surrounding the establishment and operations of the PFIPC. The probe covers claims of impersonation, forgery, financial impropriety and the unlawful use of government facilities and official insignia.
The committee is also examining how the alleged council operated, who funded its activities and whether public officials or institutions played any role. It expects to conclude its hearings this week before submitting its report to the House of Representatives. Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi said the panel could not compel Adeyemi to appear publicly because a court had already ordered his detention.
“We do not have the power as the National Assembly to vacate an existing court order and say that somebody who is in the custody of the Nigerian Police should leave the police to appear before the National Assembly.”
He, however, confirmed that lawmakers would question Adeyemi at an undisclosed date and location. He added that police officers and the suspect’s lawyers would be present during the session.
Contractor recounts alleged ₦400m payment
During the hearing, the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, told lawmakers that he paid ₦400 million to Adeyemi after allegedly receiving a contract to renovate and furnish what was presented as the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General.
Collins said he believed the agency was genuine because Adeyemi operated from an office inside the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. He also travelled with security personnel and used official vehicles bearing Federal Government number plates.
According to the businessman, Adeyemi introduced himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
Collins said Adeyemi later invited him to inspect the official residence. He also handed him a contract award letter, the scope of work and an agreement for the project. According to Collins, Adeyemi demanded ₦400 million to prove his company’s financial capacity and facilitate mobilisation for the contract.
Payment made in instalments
Collins told lawmakers that he raised the money from business associates who trusted him because he had personally visited Adeyemi’s office.
He said he paid ₦380 million in four instalments into a Guaranty Trust Bank account belonging to World Entrepreneurs Limited. He later transferred the remaining ₦20 million into an Access Bank account belonging to Sunshine Confectionery and Catering Services.
The businessman said Adeyemi promised that mobilisation for the project would begin in August 2025. However, the promise never materialised. He later petitioned the EFCC after his lawyer advised him that he had allegedly fallen victim to fraud. Collins also told lawmakers that the incident crippled his business and forced him to sell personal property to repay those who contributed the money.
FRSC summoned over number plates
Meanwhile, the committee summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, to appear before it on Thursday. Lawmakers want the FRSC to explain how Federal Government number plates allegedly linked to vehicles used by the purported council were obtained.
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