By Tracy Moses
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Wednesday declined to produce the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the organisation, citing a subsisting court order remanding him in custody.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), DCP Olufemi Akinola told the committee that the police could not honour the lawmakers’ request because Adeniyi remains in lawful custody pursuant to a valid order of the Federal High Court.
Akinola said the Force remained committed to cooperating with the National Assembly but could not act in a manner that would violate an existing court order.
“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 reproduction warrant could be sought from a court of competent jurisdiction to enable the police to comply with this request,” he said.
The development came as the House committee, chaired by Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, continued its investigation into the activities of the PFIPC and the circumstances surrounding its claim of operating as a federal government-backed investment agency.
Reading the police communication to members of the committee, Gagdi clarified that Adeniyi had not refused to honour the committee’s invitation.
“He did not refuse to appear before this committee. The police informed us that he remains in custody by virtue of a subsisting court order. We respect the principle of separation of powers and will not interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings,” Gagdi said.
He explained that the committee was mindful of ongoing investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
According to him, the committee would avoid taking any action capable of undermining the work of the various security and anti-corruption agencies.
The police’s inability to produce Adeniyi came as the committee revealed fresh findings from its investigation into the operations of the PFIPC.
Gagdi disclosed that preliminary investigations had uncovered what he described as an elaborate network of fake documents allegedly used to secure official recognition and government approvals.
According to him, investigators discovered several documents referencing a purported Department of Administration and Support Services under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, State House—an office he said does not exist.
“Our investigation has established that this department does not exist. Yet documents bearing that office were allegedly used to obtain official recognition and process government approvals,” Gagdi said.
He further disclosed that the committee had identified no fewer than 19 fake documents purportedly issued in the names of senior State House officials.
“It is not just one forged letter. We have uncovered 19 different documents purportedly emanating from the State House. These are serious discoveries,” he stated.
The committee chairman urged Nigerians not to politicise the investigation, insisting that its work was strictly evidence-driven.
“We should not be carried away by politics or sentiments. Let us follow the facts wherever they lead,” he added.
The committee also questioned officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) over the issuance of an administrative code to the PFIPC, seeking explanations on how the process was completed based on documents allegedly originating from non-existent offices.
Appearing before the panel, former Director of the Federal Project Financial Department in the OAGF, Joshua Luka, explained that the request for the administrative code was received through a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, State House.
He said the correspondence was processed in line with established administrative procedures, while the Budget Office was copied only for information.
Luka maintained that the problem arose because the letter never reached its intended recipient.
“The lapse was an individual one, not an institutional failure,” he said.
Lawmakers, however, questioned how the acknowledgement copy of a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary eventually came into the possession of Adeniyi, who is not an official of the Presidency.
Gagdi argued that the alleged fraud would have been uncovered much earlier if the correspondence had been delivered through the proper administrative channel.
“If the letter had reached the Permanent Secretary’s office, they would have informed you that there is no Department of Administration and Support Services in the State House. That would have exposed the fraud much earlier,” he said.
The committee is expected to conclude the fact-finding phase of its investigation before presenting preliminary findings to the public ahead of submitting its final report to the House of Representatives.
The investigation is aimed at determining the extent of the alleged irregularities surrounding the PFIPC, identifying all those involved and recommending legislative and administrative measures to prevent similar abuses of government processes in the future.