IGP Explains Failure to Produce Adeyemi Before Reps Committee

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has explained why the Nigeria Police Force was unable to produce Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the agency's activities. The police said Adeyemi remains in custody under a valid order of the Federal High Court.

Representing the IGP at the committee's resumed hearing, Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola said the police could not comply with the lawmakers' directive because doing so would require a production warrant or another appropriate order from the court currently handling the case. He stressed that the force remains committed to cooperating with the National Assembly while respecting ongoing judicial proceedings.

Akinola told the committee that the Nigeria Police recognises the constitutional oversight powers of the House of Representatives and would produce Adeyemi once the necessary court authorisation is obtained. He added that the police were not refusing to cooperate but were acting in line with existing legal procedures governing suspects already before the courts.

Responding to the explanation, the committee's chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, accepted the police position and assured members that the panel would obtain the required court order. He said the committee would formally communicate with the Office of the Inspector-General of Police once the production warrant had been secured.

The House committee is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated without legal backing while presenting itself as a Federal Government agency. Several government institutions have already told the panel that they neither recognised the council nor had official dealings with it after discovering that it was not a legitimate government body.