The PFIPC investigation gathered fresh momentum on Wednesday as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) interrogated the alleged founder of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, inside police detention, while the House of Representatives prepared to question senior government officials over the controversial organisation.
The investigation centres on allegations that Adeyemi presented himself as Director-General of a presidential council that several federal institutions have said was never established or recognised by the Federal Government.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, ICPC operatives initially scheduled Adeyemi’s interrogation for 10 a.m. at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, where he is being detained. However, the exercise was postponed after his legal representative failed to appear.
The questioning later commenced around 3 p.m. after his lawyer arrived, in line with criminal procedure requirements guaranteeing suspects access to legal representation during interrogation.
Investigators, however, did not conclude the session, with indications that further questioning may continue as the PFIPC investigation progresses. Adeyemi was arrested last week following allegations that he used forged government documents, appointment letters and official claims to present himself as head of the purported council.
The controversy escalated after President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged agency.
The Presidency had maintained that the PFIPC does not exist within the structure of the Federal Government and instructed investigators to examine allegations involving forged appointment letters, unauthorised diplomatic engagements, visa facilitation requests and the opening of bank accounts using documents linked to the non-existent council.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has also appeared before the ICPC as part of the investigation after Adeyemi allegedly claimed he received an appointment through him. Gbajabiamila has denied the allegation and instituted legal action against the suspect.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged establishment of the PFIPC is expected to question several top government officials over the agency’s operations and its appearance in the 2026 federal budget.
Those expected before the committee include Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele, Accountant-General of the Federation Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other senior government officials.
Lawmakers are seeking explanations regarding the council’s alleged access to government facilities, budget proposals and official recognition despite repeated claims by government agencies that it lacked legal status.
Earlier testimony by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ministry rejected requests from Adeyemi after identifying inconsistencies in his correspondence and subsequently sought clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser, which reportedly confirmed that neither the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation nor the Office of the Chief of Staff recognised him.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also weighed in on the controversy, accusing the Federal Government of failing to provide consistent explanations regarding the alleged agency’s activities.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Atiku questioned conflicting accounts reportedly provided by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria concerning bank accounts allegedly linked to the PFIPC. He called for an independent investigation, urging the National Assembly to summon officials from both institutions to clarify the conflicting claims.
The PFIPC investigation continues as anti-corruption agencies and lawmakers seek to determine how the alleged council secured office accommodation, sought recognition from government institutions and appeared in federal budget documents despite repeated assertions by several government agencies that it was never legally established.
The outcome of the parallel investigations is expected to determine whether any breaches of due process, abuse of public institutions or criminal offences were committed.
