The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has explained why the Nigeria Police Force failed to produce Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the controversial body.
The police said Adeniyi, who is in its custody, could not be presented before the committee because he is being held under a valid order of the Federal High Court.
The House committee, chaired by the lawmaker representing Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi, had on Monday directed the IGP to produce the suspect following testimonies from several government institutions that disowned the purported council.
Representing the IGP at the committee’s sitting on Wednesday, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Olubunmi Akinola, said the force remained committed to cooperating with the National Assembly but was constrained by the subsisting court order.
He explained that the police would require a production warrant or any other appropriate order from a court of competent jurisdiction before releasing the suspect to appear before the lawmakers.
Akinola said, “We are here to convey the confidence of the Inspector-General of Police.
“The Nigeria Police Force may not be able to produce the suspect as requested in view of the subsisting warrant. The Nigeria Police Force recognises the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly and remains committed to cooperating with the committee in the discharge of its mandate.
“However, in this case, it will be appreciated if a production warrant could be obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction to enable the police to comply with this request.”
Responding, Gagdi accepted the explanation and assured the police that the committee would immediately initiate the legal process required to obtain the production warrant.
He said the committee would formally communicate with the Office of the Inspector-General of Police once the court order had been secured.
The House of Representatives set up the ad hoc committee to investigate the operations of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council following allegations that it functioned as a Federal Government agency without any legal backing.
At previous investigative hearings, top government institutions, including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Budget Office of the Federation and the Nigeria Police Force, distanced themselves from the council.
The agencies told lawmakers they neither recognised the body nor conducted official business with it after establishing that it was not a legitimate government institution.
The committee is expected to determine how the purported council emerged, identify those behind its operations and recommend appropriate legislative and legal actions.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
