By Ahmed Yusuf
National News
The House of Representatives Committee investigating the alleged operation of a fake presidential agency has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to produce the alleged mastermind, Adeyemi Martin, before the committee on Wednesday by 12 noon.
The committee issued the directive on Monday after the Nigeria Police Force confirmed key aspects of its ongoing investigation into allegations that Adeyemi fraudulently presented himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, said the suspect’s appearance had become necessary because of the gravity of the allegations and the need to verify several documents before the panel concludes its investigation. According to him, the case involves the integrity of government institutions and individuals whose names have been linked to the matter.
Gagdi said the committee would not treat the invitation as optional, stressing that Adeyemi must appear before lawmakers to clarify issues surrounding documents allegedly used in the operation of the fake agency. He subsequently directed the committee clerk to formally notify the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the suspect’s appearance.
Representing the IGP, Assistant Commissioner of Police Basir Abdullahi informed the committee that the Nigeria Police Force had already completed part of its investigation and filed an eight-count criminal charge against the suspect before a Federal High Court. He noted that the case was already before the court and cautioned against disclosing details that could prejudice ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings.
The police, however, confirmed that investigations began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned security agencies on October 17, 2025, over allegations that Adeyemi falsely claimed to head the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the PFIPC. The petition also alleged that he used the non-existent office to gain credibility in dealings with government institutions.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly secured accommodation at the Federal Secretariat, sought approval to recruit about 300 staff, attempted to include about $1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the fake agency, and planned to organise a World Investment Summit under the platform of the purported council.
During the hearing, lawmakers compared signatures on documents allegedly issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President with authentic documents provided by the police. When asked whether the signatures matched, the police witness replied that they were different, suggesting that the documents were not genuine.
The committee also heard that investigators had uncovered about 29 suspected forged documents, including purported approvals from the State House, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance and several other government agencies. Many of the institutions involved have reportedly appeared before the committee and denied issuing the documents attributed to them.
Despite pressing for updates, the committee said it deliberately avoided compelling the police to disclose information that could interfere with ongoing criminal investigations. Gagdi assured Nigerians that the House would continue its own investigation independently and that its final report could recommend additional actions by relevant security agencies where necessary.
