The Senate has, for the second time, rejected a motion seeking an independent legislative investigation into the controversy surrounding Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC).
The matter, which has generated widespread public attention in recent weeks, was reintroduced during Wednesday’s plenary by Senator Suleiman Kawu under a matter of urgent public importance.
Kawu, who made a similar request last week without success, urged the Senate to conduct its own investigation into the allegations despite ongoing actions by law enforcement agencies.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled against the request, arguing that it would be inappropriate for the upper chamber to initiate a separate investigation because the matter is already before the court and President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations within 30 days.
“In my view, the issue has been overtaken by events as the culprit has been charged to court.
It is now sub judice to attempt to go into it again.
Mr. President has already directed an investigation.
If we go into it now, we will probably be jumping the gun,” Akpabio said.
Despite the ruling, Senator Kawu maintained that the National Assembly has an independent constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight, regardless of investigations being conducted by the executive.
The Senate’s decision follows the arrest of Adeyemi after the Federal High Court ordered security agencies to apprehend and produce him before the court on September 30 for arraignment.
Adeyemi is expected to answer an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.
According to the prosecution, he forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He is also accused of forging presidential letterheads and other official documents, including a request for office space allegedly issued from the State House.
The Federal Government further alleges that Adeyemi falsely represented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council and used the alleged forged documents to support his claims.
Adeyemi had publicly presented himself as the head of the council, with photographs of him alongside prominent Nigerians circulating on social media. He also alleged during a television interview that he paid money to secure the appointment—an allegation the Presidency has firmly denied.
The case is expected to continue before the Federal High Court on September 30.
