The House of Representatives committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council failed to appear on Monday for the rescheduled interrogation of its detained promoter, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Adeyemi, who is currently in police custody, had earlier insisted that he would only submit to questioning by the committee if his lawyers and journalists were allowed to be present.
The committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, had on Thursday attempted to question Adeyemi, but the detained promoter reportedly declined to respond to the lawmakers’ questions.
The committee subsequently rescheduled the interrogation for Monday.
However, a source close to Adeyemi’s family said on Monday that the lawmakers did not return as earlier indicated.
“Gagdi committee people did not come around. He said he was not called on to attend to them. On Thursday, they told him they were coming back today; maybe they have rescheduled, or they didn’t want to hear from him again,” the source said.
The development came amid a disagreement between Adeyemi and the committee over the conditions under which he would be interrogated.
Adeyemi, through his lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, had opposed the committee’s decision to question him at an undisclosed location while he remained in police custody.
Oyedokun said his client was willing to cooperate with the investigation but insisted that the process should be transparent and that his lawyers should be present.
The lawyer said, “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.”
A family source had also said Adeyemi informed the committee that journalists should be present during the interrogation.
“They eventually rescheduled to Monday, and my brother told them that when they are coming, they should come with the media, otherwise he will not grant them audience,” the source said.
The source added that the committee initially agreed to attend with journalists but later changed its position.
The controversy followed the committee’s decision to interview Adeyemi while he remains in police custody.
Gagdi had explained that the arrangement was necessary to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations by the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He said the committee would not undermine the judiciary or violate the principle of separation of powers, noting that the National Assembly lacked the authority to override an existing court order directing Adeyemi’s detention.
The House committee is investigating allegations surrounding the creation and operations of the PFIPC, including claims of impersonation, forgery, financial impropriety and the unlawful use of government facilities and official insignia.