The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged establishment, funding, and operations of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council has issued a strict 48-hour ultimatum to defaulting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to appear before the panel.
The committee Chairman, Representative Yusuf Gagdi, characterized the failure of affected agencies to honor previous invitations as a serious affront to the constitutional oversight authority of the National Assembly. Backed by Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, the panel warned that compliance is a legal obligation rather than a matter of discretion. Defaulting institutions were instructed to present all requested officials and documents by Thursday, which the committee identified as the final opportunity for voluntary compliance before constitutional sanctions are invoked. Panel leadership emphasized that the inquiry is strictly aimed at safeguarding public administration integrity rather than targeted victimization.
In related proceedings, lawmakers insisted on the physical appearance of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, despite a representative attending the session on her behalf. Simultaneously, representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria informed the committee that bank accounts linked to the disputed agency were opened following directives from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, though the accounts maintained zero balances and recorded no financial transactions. Submissions were also received from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation as lawmakers seek to clarify how the unauthorized body gained recognition within government records and the 2025 Appropriation Act.
Legal Representation Shifts and Broader Inquiries
Concurrently, legal counsel Femi Falana, SAN, withdrew from representing Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged Director-General of the controversial council who is facing criminal charges including forgery, impersonation, and conspiracy. The senior advocate ended his pro bono representation after Adeyemi repeatedly disregarded legal advice against granting media interviews and subsequently stated he would not appear for his scheduled court arraignment on July 27. The Federal High Court in Abuja is currently handling the criminal proceedings while police investigations continue.
In a parallel development, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore publicly requested that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission release full, unedited video recordings of its interrogation involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. The request followed a clarification by the anti-graft agency confirming that the Chief of Staff voluntarily attended an interview at its Abuja headquarters to respond to inquiries concerning the council, denying reports that an arrest had occurred.