By Mahmoud
The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council/Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PFIPC/PEAC), revealing that it has uncovered 29 documents allegedly forged by the self-acclaimed Director-General of the council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew.
The House also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, directing him to produce Adeyemi before the ad hoc committee by noon on Wednesday to answer questions relating to the ongoing investigation.
Chairman of the House Ad hoc Committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, announced the directive during the committee’s resumed hearing in Abuja on Monday.
According to Gagdi, Adeyemi’s appearance is necessary to clarify issues raised during the investigation before the committee concludes its work and presents its recommendations.
“It is the wish of this committee that the Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in view of the fact that individuals’ names have featured differently in this investigation, and agencies have been mentioned while documents have been said to have been mutilated, should kindly present Adeyemi before this committee on Wednesday by 12 noon,” Gagdi said.
He stressed that the committee’s decision was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of individuals and public institutions mentioned in the probe while ensuring that allegations of document alteration are properly verified.
The lawmaker further explained that the legislative inquiry would complement, rather than interfere with, investigations already being conducted by security agencies.
The committee also requested that the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and other relevant authorities facilitate the release of 12 personnel identified in a security report to assist the investigation.
In addition, lawmakers directed the AGF to produce the two officials who reportedly carried out the assessment for the controversial council, saying their testimonies would ensure fairness and provide further insight into the matter.
Gagdi disclosed that the committee had obtained the bank statement for an account allegedly opened for the phantom council by the Central Bank of Nigeria following authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
He also revealed that investigators are in possession of 29 documents allegedly used by Adeyemi, claiming that the suspect hijacked a letter of authentication originally addressed to the Presidency.
“The committee is in possession of 29 fake documents allegedly used by Prince Adeyemi,” Gagdi stated.
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