Reps issue 48-hour ultimatum to MDAs over PFIPC probe

The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), giving defaulting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) 48 hours to appear before its ad hoc committee or face sanctions.

 

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said agencies that failed to honour the committee’s invitation were undermining the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers.

 

He stressed that invitations issued by the House are backed by Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution and are legally binding, warning that agencies that fail to appear on Thursday would face constitutional and statutory sanctions.

 

Gagdi said the investigation is aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the alleged creation, funding and operations of the PFIPC and ensuring that no public institution operates outside the law.

 

The committee also insisted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, personally appear before it despite the ministry sending a representative.

 

Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has withdrawn as counsel to the alleged PFIPC Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. Although Falana did not state his reasons, reports indicated he stepped down after Adeyemi allegedly disregarded legal advice and informed him he would not appear in court for his scheduled arraignment.

 

Also on Tuesday, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore challenged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to release the full video of its interrogation of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the PFIPC investigation.

 

The ICPC had earlier clarified that Gbajabiamila was invited, not arrested, and voluntarily appeared before investigators to provide a statement as part of the ongoing probe.