The House of Representatives has given ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) accused of frustrating its investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) 48 hours to appear before its ad hoc committee or face sanctions.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, issued the warning during the panel’s hearing on Tuesday, saying the failure of some agencies to honour invitations amounted to a challenge to the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly.
He said invitations issued by House committees are backed by Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution and compliance is a legal obligation.
Gagdi directed all defaulting agencies to appear before the committee on Thursday with the required officials and documents, describing the sitting as their final opportunity to comply voluntarily.
He warned that the committee would invoke all constitutional and statutory powers available to the House against any agency that failed to appear without lawful justification.
According to him, the investigation is aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the alleged establishment, funding and operations of the PFIPC and ensuring that no public institution operates outside the law.
The committee is investigating allegations that the council operated as a government agency despite concerns over its legal status and appearance in official government records.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, confirmed he had withdrawn from representing the alleged Director-General of the council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is facing criminal charges linked to the controversy.
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 questioning of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the ongoing investigation into the PFIPC.
