The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the activities of the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has disclosed plans to question the purported Director-General of the organisation, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, at an undisclosed date and location.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, made this known during the panel’s public hearing on Tuesday, explaining that Adeyemi had yet to appear before lawmakers because he remains in police custody under a valid court order.

Gagdi clarified that the National Assembly cannot override an existing judicial directive. According to him, respecting the principles of separation of powers and federalism is paramount.

“For the benefit of the general public, we are not refusing to invite Prince Adeniyi here. We have directed him to appear, but the police have informed us that he is in their custody based on a court order,” he said.

He added that compelling Adeyemi to appear publicly without legal clearance would amount to interference in the functions of the judiciary and executive.

The committee, however, resolved to meet the detained suspect privately to obtain clarifications on key issues surrounding the investigation. Gagdi noted that details of the meeting would not be disclosed due to ongoing investigations by relevant agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as matters already before the court.

“We will not announce to the public when we will interact with him because multiple agencies are investigating the matter and parts of it are already before a court of law,” he stated.

Gagdi assured that the session would be officially documented, conducted in the presence of Adeyemi’s legal representatives and with prior notification to the police authorities.

“Whether he appears before the committee or the committee meets him, what matters is that we engage him to clarify certain issues and that is what we intend to do,” he added.

Earlier during the hearing, the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, alleged that he paid ₦400 million to Adeyemi after being promised a contract linked to the purported council.

Collins claimed the payment was made following an offer to renovate and furnish what was presented as the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General. However, the allegation has not been proven in court.

The committee is expected to continue its public hearing on Thursday and conclude outstanding engagements within the week, after which it will present its final report to the House of Representatives upon resumption of plenary.