The man identified as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has opposed plans by a House of Representatives ad hoc committee to question him behind closed doors while he remains in police custody.
Adeyemi insisted he is prepared to cooperate fully with lawmakers investigating the controversial council but argued that his testimony should be delivered during a public hearing, where Nigerians can hear his response to allegations already made against him.
His position was conveyed on Wednesday through his lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, who said any attempt to interrogate his client at an undisclosed location would deny him the opportunity to publicly defend himself.
In a statement, Oyedokun said Adeyemi welcomed the House investigation into the creation and operations of the PFIPC but rejected any arrangement that would shield his testimony from public scrutiny.
According to the lawyer, all accusations against his client had been presented during open sessions of the committee, making it only fair that his response should also be heard publicly.
“We have read that the committee intends to interview our client at an undisclosed date and place. We ask it, respectfully, to think again.
“Everyone else in this matter has been heard in public, and what has been said about our client was said in public. He should be allowed to answer in the same place it was said,” Oyedokun stated.
The legal team urged the House committee to invoke its constitutional powers by directing the Nigeria Police Force to produce Adeyemi before lawmakers for a public hearing.
Citing Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, Oyedokun argued that the committee possesses the authority to summon witnesses and compel their attendance during legislative investigations.
“Section 89 of the Constitution gives the committee power to summon any person and to compel his attendance.
“We ask it to use that power and require the police to produce our client at a public sitting. He will attend on any date fixed by the committee, accompanied by his counsel, and answer every question put before him,” he said.
Adeyemi Willing To Testify, But With Legal Limits
The lawyer said Adeyemi was eager to clarify issues surrounding the alleged establishment of the PFIPC and identify government officials who reportedly interacted with the council.
However, he noted that questions relating to ongoing criminal investigations or matters pending before the Federal High Court may not be answered publicly based on legal advice.
According to him, while Adeyemi is willing to cooperate with the legislative inquiry, he reserves the right to avoid commenting on issues that could prejudice ongoing court proceedings or investigations by security agencies.
“Our client does not ask the committee to compromise any investigation. He will answer in public the questions this committee was constituted to ask and will reserve, upon legal advice, any question touching a matter before a court or an agency.
“Those may be taken separately and in private. What cannot be right is that the whole of his account be taken behind a closed door because part of it is sensitive,” Oyedokun added.
Oyedokun also questioned the legality of Adeyemi’s continued detention by the police.
He argued that the bench warrant reportedly relied upon by investigators only authorised his arrest and appearance before the Federal High Court, not indefinite detention without being produced before a judge.
According to the lawyer, no court has ordered that Adeyemi remain in custody.
“No order committing him to custody has ever been made, served on him or shown to him, and none could have been made because he has never been brought before any court,” he claimed.
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The Nigeria Police Force had not responded to the allegation as of the time this report was filed.
Reps Committee Defends Planned Private Interrogation
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives ad hoc committee has defended its decision to question Adeyemi away from the public.
Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi explained that the arrangement was intended to avoid interfering with separate investigations already being conducted by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to Gagdi, lawmakers invited Adeyemi but were informed that he remained in police custody under a court order.
He stressed that the National Assembly would not take any action capable of undermining the judiciary or violating the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
The committee is investigating allegations surrounding the establishment and activities of the PFIPC, including claims of impersonation, forgery, financial misconduct, and the unauthorised use of government offices, official facilities and state insignia.
The dispute has now set the stage for a legal and constitutional debate over whether Adeyemi’s testimony should be heard publicly or behind closed doors while criminal investigations continue.