The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged founder of the disputed Promotion Council (PFIPC), while he remained in police custody. The questioning marks a significant development in an investigation that deepened on Wednesday into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment council.
Adeyemi is being held at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja. He faced questions about allegations that he falsely created and operated a purported council that the Presidency has rejected as a non-existent government agency.
The investigation centres on claims that Adeyemi presented himself as director-general of a presidential body that several government institutions insist was never established or recognised by the Federal Government. The probe also examines allegations of forged appointment letters, unauthorised bank accounts opened in the names of supposed government agencies, and attempts to secure official recognition and diplomatic backing.
Investigators are also looking into how the council allegedly ended up in the 2026 Appropriation Act. The ICPC originally scheduled Adeyemi's interrogation for around 10 a.m. on Wednesday but postponed it when his legal representative didn't show up at the police facility.
Anti-graft investigators had prepared thoroughly for the interview but chose to delay proceedings to respect the suspect's constitutional right to legal representation, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The session eventually started around 3 p.m. after a new lawyer for Adeyemi arrived.
"The ICPC was at the Cybercrime Centre around 10 a.m. to interview Adeyemi, but couldn't proceed because his lawyer was absent," an ICPC source told reporters on condition of anonymity. "The interview was rescheduled for 3 p.m."
Another source confirmed that the interrogation took place with Adeyemi's counsel present but wasn't completed. "His lawyer eventually arrived and he was questioned in his presence," the source explained.
"They couldn't finish the questioning that day, so they may continue tomorrow or another day."
Nigeria's criminal justice system requires that suspects undergoing formal interrogation have access to legal representation, and investigators typically wait for counsel to arrive before proceeding to ensure due process is followed. The House of Representatives is conducting its own parallel investigation into the controversial council and plans to question senior government officials about its appearance in the 2026 budget and alleged access to government facilities.
Among those invited to appear before the House Ad-hoc Committee are George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation; Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser; Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice; Olatunji Disu, inspector-general of police; Taiwo Oyedele, minister of finance; and Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, accountant-general of the federation.
