The self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has opposed plans by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee to question him privately while he remains in police custody, insisting that the exercise should be conducted in the open.
Adeyemi, through his lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, said on Wednesday that although he welcomed the House investigation into the controversial council, he rejected the committee's decision to interrogate him at an undisclosed location.
According to the lawyer, the committee had heard allegations against his client during public sittings and fairness required that Adeyemi be given the same opportunity to respond before Nigerians.
"We have learnt that the committee intends to question our client at a secret location. Since the allegations against him were made publicly, he should also be allowed to give his account in an open hearing," Oyedokun said.
The lawyer urged the committee to invoke its powers under Section 89 of the Constitution to compel the Nigeria Police Force to produce Adeyemi before lawmakers, assuring that his client would appear with his legal team and answer questions relating to the investigation.
Oyedokun, however, noted that issues connected to the criminal allegations against Adeyemi would be addressed before the Federal High Court and relevant anti-graft agencies, while the House inquiry into the establishment and operations of the council should remain open to the public.
He also questioned the legality of Adeyemi's continued detention, arguing that the warrant obtained by the police only authorised his arrest and appearance before the court, not prolonged detention without a remand order.
The House ad hoc committee, led by Yusuf Gagdi, had announced on Tuesday that it would question Adeyemi in police custody to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The committee is probing allegations of impersonation, forgery, financial misconduct and the unlawful use of government facilities linked to the council.
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