By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has resolved to question the council’s purported Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, at an undisclosed location while he remains in police custody. The committee announced the decision during its ongoing investigation in Abuja on Wednesday to avoid disrupting ongoing probes by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police. The investigation focuses on allegations of impersonation, forgery, financial fraud, and the unlawful use of government facilities.
Committee Protects Ongoing Investigations
Committee Chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, explained that Adeyemi could not attend the public hearing because he remains in police custody under a valid court order.
He said the committee respects the judiciary and will not interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.
According to Gagdi, lawmakers will question Adeyemi privately at a date and venue that will not be disclosed publicly.
He added that police officers and Adeyemi’s legal representatives would attend the session to ensure transparency.
“We will not announce when or where we will meet him because several agencies are already investigating this matter,” Gagdi said.
He stressed that a public appearance could compromise investigations already underway.
Gagdi noted that the committee’s priority is obtaining Adeyemi’s account of events rather than insisting on a public hearing.
Businessman Narrates How He Paid ₦400 Million
During the hearing, Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, narrated how he allegedly paid ₦400 million after Adeyemi promised him a government contract.
Collins said he believed Adeyemi represented a genuine Federal Government agency.
According to him, he first met Adeyemi during a programme in Ogbomoso in December 2024.
Adeyemi later invited him to Abuja in early 2025 to discuss a business opportunity.
Collins said it was his first visit to Abuja.
He explained that Adeyemi sent an official Lexus SUV bearing Federal Government registration plates to pick him up from the airport.
“I met him at his office inside the Federal Secretariat. Security officers guarded the office, and many dignitaries were waiting to see him,” Collins told lawmakers.
He said Adeyemi introduced himself as Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
Official Residence Inspection Strengthened Confidence
Collins told lawmakers that Adeyemi later informed him about an official residence allocated to him.
He said Adeyemi requested his company to renovate and furnish the property.
The businessman said he visited the residence alongside Adeyemi and several staff members under heavy security.
According to him, officials opened the building and explained the proposed renovation work.
Soon afterward, Adeyemi allegedly handed him a contract award letter, scope of work and agreement.
Payments Made in Five Instalments
Collins said Adeyemi requested ₦400 million to demonstrate financial capacity and facilitate mobilisation.
He insisted the payment was not a bribe.
Instead, he believed it would speed up mobilisation for the project.
According to Collins, he raised the funds from trusted business associates.
He paid ₦380 million in four instalments between May and June 2025 into a Guaranty Trust Bank account belonging to World Entrepreneurs Limited.
He also transferred the remaining ₦20 million on July 29, 2025, into an Access Bank account belonging to Sunshine Confectionery and Catering Services.
Mobilisation Never Happened
Collins said Adeyemi promised mobilisation would begin in August 2025.
However, nothing happened.
He said repeated calls produced fresh assurances that security concerns delayed the process.
Adeyemi later promised payment would come in November.
When communication eventually stopped, Collins consulted a lawyer.
“My lawyer was the first person who told me I had been scammed,” he said.
EFCC Petition Followed
Collins disclosed that his lawyer petitioned the EFCC on November 13, 2025.
He formally adopted the petition six days later.
According to him, EFCC investigators informed him that Adeyemi repeatedly failed to honour invitations, citing ill health through his lawyer.
He appealed to lawmakers to help recover his money.
Collins said the incident ruined his business and forced him to sell personal property.
“I have started selling my property. My business is no longer doing well,” he lamented.
Lawmakers Question Procurement Process
Committee members questioned whether Collins followed the Public Procurement Act before accepting the contract.
Collins admitted that no formal procurement process took place.
He also confirmed that the funds remained in naira and were not converted into United States dollars before transfer.
When asked whether the ₦400 million amounted to a bribe, Collins rejected the suggestion.
He maintained that the payment served only as a mobilisation requirement.
FRSC Corps Marshal Summoned
The committee also summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed.
Lawmakers want explanations over the alleged use of official Federal Government number plates on vehicles linked to the purported council.
The panel is examining how the council allegedly operated, its funding sources, the individuals behind it, and whether government officials supported its activities.
The committee expects to conclude its hearings this week before submitting its report to the House of Representatives for legislative action.
