The family of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man alleged to have presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), has accused members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the council of attempting to interrogate him in police custody without the presence of his legal team.
Adeyemi’s brother, Peter Adeyemi, made the allegation on Thursday, claiming that lawmakers visited the detention facility where the suspect is being held but were unable to question him after he insisted that his lawyers be present before any interview could proceed.
According to Peter, the family is concerned about the committee’s approach and believes Adeyemi should be allowed to publicly respond to the allegations against him, just as those accusing him have done.
He maintained that Adeyemi was not refusing to cooperate with the investigation but was only demanding that due process be followed.
“The committee came to interrogate him, but he declined because none of his lawyers was present. They are still trying to persuade him to answer questions without legal representation. We are calling on the authorities to ensure the proper procedure is followed,” Peter said.
He added that Adeyemi had expressed his readiness to defend himself publicly, insisting that since the allegations against him were made openly, he should be given the same opportunity to respond.
The family’s position follows an earlier objection raised by Adeyemi’s lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, who on Wednesday opposed the House committee’s decision to question his client at an undisclosed location while he remains in police custody.
In a statement, Oyedokun said his client welcomed the parliamentary investigation into the establishment and activities of the PFIPC but rejected any plan for a private or closed-door interrogation.
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The lawyer argued that fairness demanded that Adeyemi be allowed to address the allegations in the same public forum where they were made.
The House committee had earlier announced its intention to interview Adeyemi at a location that was not disclosed, citing the need to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, explained that although lawmakers had invited Adeyemi to appear before them, the police informed the panel that he remained in custody under a valid court order.
Gagdi stressed that the National Assembly would not take any action capable of undermining ongoing criminal investigations or violating the principle of separation of powers, noting that the legislature had no authority to override a court order authorising the suspect’s detention.
The House committee is currently probing allegations surrounding the establishment and operations of the PFIPC, including claims of impersonation, forgery, financial misconduct, and the alleged unlawful use of government facilities and official insignia.