Police Explain Inability to Produce Fake Investment Council Director
Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has shed light on the Nigeria Police Force’s failure to present Mr. Adeyemi Adeniyi, the self-proclaimed Executive Director of the fraudulent Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, before the House of Representatives Select Committee. This committee is currently investigating the questionable activities of the aforementioned organization.
During a session on Monday, committee chairperson Yusuf Gagdi instructed the IGP to ensure Adeyemi’s appearance, following significant implications against the purported council from several government agencies that have publicly disavowed any involvement with it.
Testimonies were provided from multiple federal entities, including the Office of the Director of the Civil Service, the Accountant-General’s Office, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Federation’s Budget Office, all affirming their detachment from the controversial organization.
At Wednesday’s investigative hearing, Disu was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola, who also serves as Deputy Director at the National Cyber Crime Center, alongside his colleague, Deputy Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi. Akinola explained that the police were unable to fulfill the committee’s directive due to a valid order from the Federal High Court restricting their actions.
“While we hold the committee in high regard, the Nigeria Police Force is hindered by existing legal requirements that necessitate a court order for compliance,” Akinola stated. He further added that the police remain dedicated to cooperating with the commission in its investigation.
In light of this, Gagdi accepted Akinola’s explanation and assured him that the commission would promptly pursue the necessary legal avenues to procure the required court orders. He also stated that they would maintain formal communication with the Office of the Inspector General of Police once the orders were obtained.
The investigation into the Presidential Council for the Promotion of Foreign Investment began after allegations surfaced regarding its operation without legal authorization, masquerading as a federal agency. Previous hearings revealed that the aforementioned entities acknowledged neither recognizing the council nor engaging in any official transactions, confirming its lack of legitimacy as a government body.
The commission aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding the organization’s inception, identify the individuals orchestrating its activities, and propose appropriate legislative or legal responses to address the situation.
