Reps Panel to Question Alleged PFIPC DG at Undisclosed Location, Date

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) says it will question the agency’s alleged Director-General, Aderemi Matthew Adeyemi, at a private location and on an undisclosed date to avoid disrupting ongoing investigations and court proceedings.

The committee made the announcement during its sitting on Tuesday, where the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, claimed he paid N400 million to Adeyemi after allegedly being promised a contract to renovate and furnish what was presented as the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, explained that lawmakers would not compel Adeyemi to appear publicly because he is currently in police custody and the matter is already before the court.

According to Gagdi, the National Assembly will respect the constitutional principle of separation of powers and will not interfere with the work of the judiciary, the police or other investigative agencies.

He said the committee would instead meet Adeyemi privately at a time and venue that would not be disclosed to the public. The meeting, he added, would be recorded to ensure transparency while allowing ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other agencies to continue without interference.

Gagdi also stated that Adeyemi’s legal representatives would be present during the interaction, while the police would be informed before the meeting in line with the court’s directives.

He maintained that the committee’s main objective is to obtain clarification from Adeyemi, regardless of whether he appears before lawmakers or they meet him at his current location.

The committee chairman disclosed that public hearings would continue on Wednesday, with plans to conclude the remaining sessions before the end of the week.

During the hearing, Collins told lawmakers that his company, established in October 2017, operates in the agricultural export business by sourcing produce from farmers for international markets.

He claimed that Adeyemi introduced himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Collins said he had no reason to doubt Adeyemi’s claims because he was received with what appeared to be official government arrangements, including security personnel and a government-registered Lexus SUV that picked him up from the airport during his first visit to Abuja.

According to Collins, Adeyemi later informed him about plans to renovate and furnish an official residence allocated to him as Director-General and awarded the project to his company.

He said Adeyemi requested a payment of N400 million, explaining that the money would demonstrate the company’s financial capacity and speed up mobilisation for the contract.

Collins told the committee that he received a contract award letter, a scope of work document and an agreement authorising his company to carry out the refurbishment before making the payment.

The House committee continues its investigation into the activities of the alleged PFIPC and the claims surrounding its operations.