Jelili Gbadamosi
The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the alleged establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has threatened to invoke its constitutional powers against federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that have repeatedly failed to honour its invitations.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, issued the warning on Tuesday, describing the agencies’ absence as a direct challenge to the constitutional oversight authority of the National Assembly.
According to Gagdi, invitations issued by committees of the House of Representatives are backed by Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and must be treated as a legal obligation rather than a matter of discretion.
He directed all defaulting MDAs to appear before the committee on Thursday with the requested officials and relevant documents, describing the session as their final opportunity to comply voluntarily.
Gagdi warned that any agency that fails to honour the summons without lawful justification would face sanctions, stressing that the committee would not hesitate to deploy all constitutional and statutory powers available to compel compliance.
He maintained that the investigation was not intended to victimise any institution or individual but to establish the facts surrounding the PFIPC’s activities, safeguard the rule of law and ensure public institutions operate within constitutional limits.
The committee also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the investigation fairly, insisting that no government agency, regardless of its status, would be allowed to undermine the constitutional authority of the House or obstruct its legislative responsibilities.
The warning comes as lawmakers continue investigating the legal status and operations of the PFIPC following allegations that it functioned as a government body without formal establishment.
During previous hearings, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the committee that it neither recognised the council nor had official dealings with its alleged Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. The ministry also disclosed that the Office of the National Security Adviser had informed it that both the council and its purported leadership were unknown to the Federal Government.
The committee is expected to determine whether any public officials or institutions facilitated the activities of the organisation and recommend appropriate legislative or legal action.
