Senate Again Rejects PFIPC Probe As Court Case, ICPC Investigation Proceed

The Senate has, for the second time, declined a motion seeking an independent legislative investigation into the controversy surrounding the alleged Director-General of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

The issue, which has dominated public attention for more than two weeks, was reintroduced during Wednesday’s plenary by Senator Suleiman Kawu, who had made a similar request last week without success.

Senator Kawu sought to raise the matter under a motion of urgent public importance, urging the Senate to conduct its own investigation into the allegations.

However, the upper chamber rejected the request.

Ruling on the motion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said it would be inappropriate for the Senate to initiate a separate probe because the matter is already before the court and President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations within 30 days.

“In my view, the issue has been overtaken by events as the culprit has been charged to court. It is now sub judice to attempt to go into it again. Mr President has already directed an investigation. If we go into it now, we will probably be jumping the gun,” Akpabio said.

Despite the Senate’s decision, Senator Kawu insisted that the National Assembly has a constitutional duty to carry out oversight functions regardless of actions already taken by the executive arm of government.

The Senate’s position follows the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the disputed agency. His arrest came after Justice Umar of the Federal High Court granted an oral application by police counsel, Wisdom Madaki, directing security agencies to apprehend and produce him before the court.

Adeyemi was expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation, but failed to appear in court. Justice Umar subsequently ordered his arrest and fixed September 30 for his arraignment.

According to the Federal Government, Adeyemi allegedly forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He is also accused of forging presidential letterheads and official government documents, including a request for office accommodation allegedly originating from the State House.

The government further alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as “the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council” and used the purported appointment to seek official recognition and other benefits.

Adeyemi had publicly identified himself as the head of the council, with photographs of himself alongside prominent Nigerians widely circulated on social media. He also claimed he paid Gbajabiamila to secure the appointment, an allegation the Presidency has strongly denied.

Speaking during an edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adeyemi said:

“Let the court take its course. Since my lawyers are involved, everybody will follow us. They will monitor the whole thing. Then let the court of competent jurisdiction do what they need to.”

Amid the growing controversy, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to launch an investigation into the matter.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the commission is expected to investigate “the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.”