The Nigeria Police Force has explained why it was unable to produce Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the controversial body.
The explanation was presented on Wednesday by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, through the Deputy Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola.
The House committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, who represents the Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, had directed the police on Monday to produce Adeyemi for questioning following testimonies from several government institutions regarding the council’s operations.
The directive came after submissions from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies, all of which denied recognizing the purported council.
Court Order Prevents Suspect’s Production
Appearing before the committee alongside Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi, Akinola said Adeyemi could not be brought before lawmakers because he is currently being held under a valid order of the Federal High Court.
He explained that the police would require a production warrant or any other appropriate court order before complying with the committee’s directive.
“We are here to convey the confidence of the Inspector-General of Police.
“The Nigeria Police Force may not be able to produce the suspect as requested in view of the subsisting warrant. The Nigeria Police Force recognises the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly and remains committed to cooperating with the committee in the discharge of its mandate.
“However, in this case, it will be appreciated if a production warrant could be obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction to enable the police to comply with this request,” Akinola said.
Reps Committee to Obtain Court Order
Responding to the explanation, Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi accepted the police’s position and assured members that the panel would immediately begin the process of securing the necessary production warrant from a competent court.
He also pledged that the committee would formally notify the Office of the Inspector-General of Police once the court order is obtained to facilitate Adeyemi’s appearance before the lawmakers.
Investigation Into Alleged Fake Government Agency Continues
The House of Representatives established the ad hoc committee to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council following allegations that it operated as a Federal Government agency without any legal backing.
During previous hearings, key government institutions—including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Budget Office of the Federation—told lawmakers they neither recognised the council nor had any official dealings with it after discovering it was not a legitimate government body.
The committee is expected to determine how the organisation emerged, identify those responsible for its operations, and recommend appropriate legislative and legal actions upon concluding its investigation.
