The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) accused of failing to cooperate with the ongoing inquiry.
Lawmakers are investigating allegations that the council operated as a federal institution despite questions over whether it was legally established, while also examining how it appeared in official government records and whether public agencies facilitated its activities.
The House Ad-hoc Committee handling the investigation warned that agencies which continue to ignore its invitations risk sanctions under the powers granted to the National Assembly by the Constitution.
Committee Chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, said the refusal of some government institutions to honour summonses amounts to a direct challenge to the legislature’s oversight responsibilities.
He stressed that invitations issued by the House are backed by Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution and are therefore legally binding.
According to him, every defaulting ministry, department and agency has until Thursday to appear before the committee with all requested officials and documents.
Gagdi described the deadline as the agencies’ final opportunity to comply voluntarily, warning that the committee would invoke every constitutional and statutory measure available to compel attendance if necessary.
He maintained that the investigation was not designed to target any individual or institution but to determine the facts surrounding the council’s activities, safeguard public administration and ensure that no government office operates outside the law.
The committee also insisted that no institution, regardless of its status, would be allowed to frustrate the National Assembly’s constitutional mandate.
The investigation took another turn after lawmakers insisted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, must personally appear before the committee despite officials from her ministry attending Tuesday’s hearing.
The committee is also expected to continue questioning several public institutions over their alleged links to the council.
Earlier hearings heard that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had no official relationship with the PFIPC or its alleged Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The ministry also informed lawmakers that the Office of the National Security Adviser had indicated that neither the council nor Adeyemi was recognized by the Federal Government.
During previous proceedings, officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed that bank accounts associated with the council were opened following directives from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
However, the apex bank told lawmakers the accounts contained no funds and had never recorded any financial transactions.
The House has also received submissions from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General’s office and other agencies as it investigates how the council allegedly found its way into official government documentation despite concerns over its legal status.
Lawmakers are examining the process through which the organization was recognized in government records, the opening of financial accounts in its name and allegations involving senior public officials.
In another major development, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has withdrawn from representing Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the controversial council.
Falana confirmed his decision on Tuesday but did not explain the reason for ending his involvement in the case.
However, a source familiar with the matter said the senior lawyer had been representing Adeyemi on a pro bono basis and had advised him against making media appearances while legal proceedings were ongoing.
According to the source, Adeyemi ignored that advice by participating in a live Instagram interview with social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
The source added that Falana eventually withdrew after Adeyemi informed him he would not appear in court on July 27, the date fixed for his arraignment.
Before stepping aside, Falana had criticized the police handling of aspects of the investigation, arguing that the reported arrest of Adeyemi’s father violated constitutional safeguards and that investigators could have obtained his statement without taking him into custody.
His withdrawal is expected to reshape Adeyemi’s legal strategy as multiple investigations and criminal proceedings continue.
The controversy surrounding the PFIPC emerged after allegations that the organization, under Adeyemi’s leadership, lacked any legal basis despite reportedly appearing in the 2025 Appropriation Act.
Adeyemi has also faced allegations including forgery, impersonation and conspiracy, all of which he has denied.
The Federal High Court in Abuja is handling criminal proceedings linked to the case, while the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies continue separate investigations.
Neither Adeyemi nor members of his team had publicly commented on Falana’s withdrawal as of the time this report was filed.
Meanwhile, activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to publish the full video of its questioning of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Sowore dismissed the anti-corruption agency’s account that Gbajabiamila voluntarily honoured an invitation from investigators, arguing that only the release of an unedited recording would convince the public.
His remarks followed the ICPC’s denial of reports claiming the Chief of Staff had been arrested over the PFIPC investigation.
The commission said Gbajabiamila appeared voluntarily at its Abuja headquarters after receiving an invitation, answered investigators’ questions regarding the ongoing probe and was allowed to leave after making his statement.
