By Friday Temitope Eugenia | National News
The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) says it will question the purported Director-General of the organisation, Aderemi Matthew Adeyemi, at an undisclosed location and date to avoid disrupting ongoing investigations by security agencies.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed this during the panel’s sitting on Tuesday, explaining that the decision was taken in line with the constitutional principle of separation of powers and in compliance with an existing court order.
Gagdi said the National Assembly would not compel Adeyemi, who is reportedly in police custody, to appear publicly before the committee while legal proceedings and investigations by anti-graft agencies are still ongoing.
According to him, the committee will instead hold a private session with the suspect in the presence of his legal representatives and the police.
“We will not announce the date or venue of the meeting because the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other agencies are investigating the matter. Parts of the case are also before the court,” Gagdi said.
He added that the interaction would be recorded to ensure transparency while protecting the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The committee chairman stressed that its objective was to obtain clarification from Adeyemi, regardless of whether the meeting takes place at the National Assembly or another approved location.
Meanwhile, the committee heard testimony from the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, who alleged that he paid N400 million after being promised a contract linked to the renovation and furnishing of what he believed to be the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General.
Collins told lawmakers that Adeyemi introduced himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
He said he had no reason to doubt Adeyemi’s claims because he was received in Abuja with a government-plated Lexus SUV and observed police escorts and what appeared to be a functioning government office.
According to Collins, Adeyemi later offered his company a contract to renovate the residence and requested a payment of N400 million, describing it as proof of financial capacity that would facilitate mobilisation for the project.
Collins said he was issued a contract award letter, scope of work, and an agreement before making the payment.
The House committee is expected to continue its public hearing and conclude outstanding engagements before the end of the week.
