The House of Representatives ad hoc committee probing the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and its N1.3 billion budget allocation has disclosed that key suspect, Adeniyi Adeyemi, will be questioned away from the public eye as multiple investigations continue to unfold around the agency.

The committee's decision comes amid growing scrutiny of the PFIPC, whose legitimacy, operations and budgetary approvals have become the subject of intense investigations involving the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force.

Although lawmakers had formally requested the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to produce Adeyemi before the panel for questioning, the request was declined by the police.

According to the police authorities, Adeyemi remains in custody under a valid court order and cannot be presented before the committee unless a competent court issues a warrant directing the police to do so.

Addressing stakeholders during the committee's public hearing on Tuesday, Chairman of the panel, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, said the lawmakers would comply with the court's directive while ensuring that their investigation proceeds without obstructing ongoing criminal probes.

Gagdi explained that the committee had no intention of shielding Adeyemi from questioning but would instead meet him privately at a location and time that would not be disclosed to the public.

He said the move was necessary to avoid compromising ongoing investigations being conducted by the EFCC and ICPC, as well as matters already before the courts.

"For the benefit of the general public, we are not refusing to invite Prince Adeniyi here. As an arm of government, we respect the principle of federalism and separation of powers. We respect the powers of the judiciary and the executive, and we equally limit ourselves within our own powers," Gagdi stated.

The lawmaker stressed that placing Adeyemi before television cameras during an open hearing could undermine investigations already being handled by anti-corruption agencies.

"We will not announce to the general public when we will interact with Prince Adeniyi because ICPC and EFCC are investigating this matter, and some aspect of this matter is before the court of law.

"To say that we will put the suspect under direct camera and interact with him the way we are interacting with heads of ministries, departments and agencies here will definitely undermine the ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC.

"In view of that, we are meeting him on an unannounced date and at an unannounced time. We will inform the police whenever we are going to meet him and, as directed by the court, it will be in the presence of his lawyers," he added.

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The latest revelation follows a request by Adeyemi's legal team seeking administrative clearance from the committee to allow him testify before the investigative panel.

At the heart of the controversy is an explosive dispute involving the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Adeyemi, who has been accused of operating the PFIPC, alleged that Gbajabiamila personally issued his appointment letter as Director-General of the council. The Chief of Staff has strongly denied the claim.

The controversy took another dramatic turn when Adeyemi claimed he borrowed N400 million to secure the PFIPC Director-General position and that the individuals who provided the funds later petitioned the EFCC over the matter.

He was arrested on July 14 by operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team in Osun State, just days after Gbajabiamila instituted a N15 billion defamation suit against him.

As investigations widened, several government officials appeared before the House committee with testimonies that further fueled concerns over the agency's activities.

Some heads of government agencies alleged that documents submitted by Adeyemi to facilitate budgetary allocations for the PFIPC were forged.

On July 27, Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, told lawmakers that Adeyemi allegedly intercepted an official letter destined for the State House—a document that could have exposed irregularities surrounding the PFIPC's paperwork.

Similarly, on July 29, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Esther Walson-Jack, informed the committee that proper due diligence was not conducted before approvals were granted for the council's staffing structure and recruitment waiver.

With allegations of forged documents, disputed appointments, multi-billion-naira budget allocations and ongoing anti-corruption investigations, the PFIPC saga continues to raise serious questions about accountability within government institutions.

As lawmakers prepare for a private interrogation of Adeyemi, attention is now focused on what fresh revelations may emerge from a scandal that has rapidly evolved into one of the most closely watched political controversies in the country.