The Senate has, for the second time, rejected a motion seeking an independent legislative investigation into the controversy surrounding the Presidency and the alleged Director-General of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The issue, which has remained in the public spotlight for more than two weeks, was reintroduced on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senator Suleiman Kawu under a matter of urgent public importance.
Kawu, who made a similar request last week without success, urged the upper chamber to launch its own investigation into the allegations surrounding Adeyemi and the disputed agency.
However, the Senate declined to entertain the motion.
Ruling on the request, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said it would be inappropriate for the Senate to commence a separate investigation because the matter is already before a court, while President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations within 30 days.
According to Akpabio, the issue has been overtaken by events following the filing of charges against Adeyemi.
“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,” he said.
Despite the ruling, Senator Kawu maintained that the National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight, regardless of investigations initiated by the executive arm of government.
The Senate’s decision comes after police authorities arrested Adeyemi following an arrest warrant issued by Justice Umar of the Federal High Court on the application of police counsel, Wisdom Madaki.
Adeyemi is expected to be arraigned on September 30 on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation.
The Federal Government alleges that he forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. He is also accused of forging presidential letterheaded documents, falsely presenting himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, and forging a request for office accommodation purportedly issued from the State House.
Investigators further allege that Adeyemi publicly paraded himself as the head of the council, circulating photographs of himself with prominent Nigerians on social media to bolster the claim.
He also alleged that he paid Gbajabiamila to secure the appointment, an accusation the Presidency has strongly denied.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Adeyemi said he would allow the legal process to run its course.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other government documents, claims of presidential appointment used to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the alleged opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.
