The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has explained why the man accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, was not produced before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the controversial body.
The explanation was contained in a letter to the committee, which was read during Wednesday’s hearing by the committee’s Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, following Adeniyi’s absence despite an earlier directive requiring him to appear before lawmakers.
According to the police, Adeniyi remains in custody because he is facing an ongoing criminal investigation over allegations of conspiracy and forgery.
Addressing members of the committee, Gagdi said the House was mindful of the principle of separation of powers and would not interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation.
“The first leg of the investigation is conspiracy and forgery, which is what has taken the man into custody. We are a respecter of the principle of the separation of powers,” he said.
Gagdi explained that the committee made the police letter public to avoid the impression that Adeniyi deliberately ignored the invitation extended to him by lawmakers.
“I decided to read the letter so that members of the press would not say the man failed to show up. We have proceedings and procedures,” he stated.
The committee chairman further disclosed that the Inspector-General informed lawmakers that Adeniyi could not be released because he is being held under a valid court order.
“The IG said the man is in custody because of a standing court order. He stated that the court remanded him, and that is why he is in custody. So, for him to be here, the court order has to be vacated before he can be brought to the National Assembly,” Gagdi explained.
He stressed that the committee would not undermine the work of law enforcement and other security agencies handling the matter.
“We cannot tamper with the ongoing investigation. We respect the good jobs the Inspector-General of Police, the Police, DSS, ICPC, EFCC and the National Security Adviser are doing, and we would not undermine the whole process,” he said.
Gagdi added that the committee would continue to engage the police and other relevant agencies to obtain further reports and clarify outstanding issues as the investigation progresses.
“We will keep writing to you so that we have further reports and clarify grey areas. By next week, we can lay our report on the resumption of this case,” he added.
The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged PFIPC, including claims that it secured office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat and received a ₦1.32 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite allegedly not being legally established as a federal government agency.
Adeniyi remains in police custody while investigations into allegations of conspiracy, forgery and falsely presenting himself as the head of the purported council continue.
