Seven days after the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged establishment and activities of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) promised to make its findings public, the panel has yet to release its report or announce a date for its publication.
The delay has raised fresh questions over the direction of the investigation, particularly following the conclusion of a separate probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which cleared the Presidency of involvement in the alleged establishment of the council.
The House committee had, at its last public sitting, reviewed documents and testimonies concerning how the purported PFIPC allegedly gained access to government processes and received recognition from some government institutions despite questions over its legal status.
The panel had also raised concerns over what it described as extensive document fraud, including the alleged use of government documents and the purported creation of a Directorate of Administration and Support Services under the State House.
State House officials reportedly denied the existence of such a directorate and also said no appointment letter was issued to Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was presented as the Director-General of the PFIPC.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, meanwhile, provided explanations concerning how vehicles linked to the purported council obtained official government number plates.
Despite the revelations, the committee has remained silent since its last sitting.
Its chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, who was contacted by our correspondent, declined to disclose the progress of the investigation, explaining that commenting publicly could undermine the process.
The committee had previously indicated that the discrepancies uncovered during its investigation would form part of its final assessment and promised to brief Nigerians on its findings.
There is also uncertainty over when lawmakers will interact with Adeyemi, who is currently in custody. The committee had said it would meet him at an undisclosed date and location instead of holding a public session, citing concerns about ongoing investigations and court proceedings.
However, Adeyemi’s lawyer and family members have rejected the arrangement and demanded that the alleged PFIPC director-general be allowed to appear at a public hearing.
The expected final report is now being closely watched, as it could determine how the purported council operated, how it interacted with government agencies, and whether public officials or private individuals facilitated its activities.
Until the committee releases its findings, questions surrounding the PFIPC’s alleged operations, its claimed government links and the documents used to support its activities remain unresolved.
