Key points
- The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), giving defaulting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) 48 hours to comply with its directives.
- Lawmakers warned that agencies failing to appear before the committee could face constitutional sanctions.
- The committee is investigating the legal status, funding and operations of the PFIPC and whether public institutions facilitated its activities.
- Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has withdrawn as counsel to the alleged PFIPC Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
- The committee also insisted that Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu personally appear before it despite the ministry sending a representative.
Main Story
The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) accused of frustrating the probe.
The investigation centres on allegations that the council operated as a government agency despite questions surrounding its legal foundation, with lawmakers examining how it appeared in official government records and whether public institutions facilitated its activities.
The latest development follows fresh twists in the investigation, including the committee’s decision to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, despite the ministry sending a representative to appear before lawmakers.
The committee is also contending with the withdrawal of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, from the legal team representing the alleged Director-General of the council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee, Yusuf Gagdi, criticised the failure of some government agencies to honour invitations, describing their actions as a challenge to the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly.
He stressed that invitations issued by committees of the House of Representatives are backed by Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution and are therefore legally binding.
The committee directed all defaulting agencies to appear before it on Thursday with the requested officials and documents, warning that this would be their final opportunity to comply voluntarily.
Gagdi said any agency that failed to honour the invitation without lawful justification would face constitutional and statutory measures to compel compliance, including sanctions where necessary.
According to the committee, the investigation is aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the PFIPC’s operations, safeguarding public administration and ensuring that no government institution operates outside constitutional and legal provisions.
Previous hearings revealed that the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs neither recognised the council nor had official dealings with its alleged Director-General.
The ministry also informed lawmakers that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had indicated that both the council and its alleged Director-General were unknown to the Federal Government.
During the ongoing hearings, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed that accounts reportedly linked to the council were opened on the directive of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, but contained zero balances and had recorded no financial transactions.
The committee has also received submissions from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General as part of efforts to determine how the council allegedly gained recognition in official government records.
Separately, Falana confirmed that he had withdrawn from Adeyemi’s legal team but declined to disclose the reasons for his decision.
Sources familiar with the matter said the senior lawyer had advised Adeyemi against granting media interviews and later withdrew after Adeyemi reportedly informed him that he would not appear in court on the scheduled date for his arraignment.
The case continues before the Federal High Court in Abuja, while the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies pursue parallel investigations into allegations including forgery, impersonation and conspiracy, all of which Adeyemi has denied.
The Issues
The investigation raises questions about governance, accountability and institutional oversight within the federal public service.
Lawmakers are seeking to determine whether an organisation without a clear legal basis operated as a government agency and whether public officials or institutions facilitated its activities.
The matter also highlights concerns over due process in the recognition of government agencies, management of public records and the use of official financial systems.
What’s Being Said
Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said:
“The committee views this conduct as a serious affront to the constitutional oversight powers of the House of Representatives and an unacceptable disregard for the authority of the parliament.”
He added:
“Invitations issued by a duly constituted Committee of the House of Representatives are not matters of discretion… Compliance is therefore a legal obligation, not an act of courtesy.”
On the committee’s objective, Gagdi said the investigation was intended to establish the facts, protect public administration and ensure that no institution operates outside the framework of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, Femi Falana (SAN) confirmed his withdrawal from Adeyemi’s legal team, saying simply:
“I have withdrawn from the Adeyemi case.”
What’s Next
Defaulting Ministries, Departments and Agencies are expected to appear before the House committee within the stipulated 48-hour period or risk sanctions under the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers.
The committee will continue reviewing evidence from government institutions before determining whether legislative or legal action should be recommended regarding the PFIPC and any officials found to have facilitated its activities.
Meanwhile, criminal proceedings against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi and parallel investigations by security agencies are expected to continue.
Bottom Line
The House of Representatives has stepped up its investigation into the controversial PFIPC, warning defaulting government agencies to cooperate or face sanctions. As legislative, judicial and security investigations continue, the outcome could have significant implications for public accountability and the oversight of government institutions.
