The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) controversy is yet to determine where it will question the council’s self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
A source familiar with the committee’s proceedings disclosed that no decision has been reached regarding the venue for Adeyemi’s appearance before lawmakers.
The committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, is investigating how the PFIPC allegedly secured office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and obtained a budgetary allocation exceeding N1.32 billion despite questions surrounding its legal status.
Adeyemi, who is currently in police custody, is expected to appear before the committee after several senior government officials testified on the matter.
However, the embattled promoter has insisted that any appearance before lawmakers must be conducted in the presence of his legal representatives and members of the media.
Through his lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, Adeyemi reportedly rejected plans for questioning at an undisclosed location, arguing that transparency must be maintained throughout the proceedings.
The committee has already heard testimonies from key officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack; Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria; and officials of the Nigeria Police Force.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) criticised the interim report released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), describing the findings as insufficient.
The coalition argued that the report failed to adequately explain how an allegedly fictitious agency was able to operate within government circles and secure official recognition.
CUPP called for a broader and more transparent investigation involving institutions such as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The committee is expected to hear directly from Adeyemi in the coming days as lawmakers seek answers regarding the creation, operation and funding of the PFIPC.
