Again, Senate blocks PFIPC probe

By Tolulope Oke

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has blocked a second attempt to launch an independent legislative investigation into the controversy surrounding Adeniyi Adeyemi and the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Adeyemi is accused of presenting himself as the director-general of the purported government agency using an appointment letter allegedly forged in President Bola Tinubu’s name.

Senator Suleiman Kawu brought the matter before the Senate on Wednesday under matters of urgent public importance after an earlier attempt to secure an investigation failed last week.

The Senate, however, declined to consider the motion.

Akpabio ruled that a separate legislative investigation would be inappropriate because Adeyemi had been charged in court and Tinubu had directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the allegations within 30 days.

“In my view, the issue has been overtaken by events as the culprit has been charged to court,” Akpabio said.

“It is now sub judice to attempt to go into it again. Mr President has already directed an investigation. If we go into it now, we will probably be jumping the gun.”

Kawu disagreed with the decision, arguing that the National Assembly retains a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight regardless of investigations initiated by the executive.

The controversy intensified after police arrested Adeyemi following an order issued by Justice Umar of the Federal High Court.

The order was granted after police lawyer Wisdom Madaki made an oral application seeking Adeyemi’s arrest and production in court.

Adeyemi was expected to enter a plea to eight charges bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

The court subsequently directed security agencies to produce him on September 30 for arraignment.

Prosecutors accused Adeyemi of forging an appointment letter purportedly issued by Tinubu and signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He is also accused of forging presidential letterheads and a State House request for office accommodation.

The Federal Government alleged that Adeyemi used the purported appointment to seek official recognition, diplomatic assistance and visa facilitation.

Investigators are also examining allegations that multiple bank accounts were opened in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.

Pictures showing Adeyemi with prominent Nigerians had circulated on social media while he presented himself publicly as the council’s director-general.

He also claimed that he gave money to Gbajabiamila to secure the purported appointment. The Presidency strongly denied the allegation.

Adeyemi previously said he was prepared to allow the court to determine the case.

“Let the court take its course,” he said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Amid the controversy, Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forged appointment documents, bank accounts and attempts to obtain official or diplomatic recognition.

The Senate maintained that conducting another investigation while the criminal case and ICPC probe were ongoing could interfere with the existing processes.