The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has announced that it will question the purported Director-General of the agency, Aderemi Matthew Adeyemi, at an undisclosed location and on an undisclosed date to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations and comply with constitutional provisions.

The development came as the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, told the committee that he allegedly paid Adeyemi ₦400 million after being promised a contract to renovate and furnish what was presented to him as the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said the National Assembly would respect the constitutional principle of separation of powers and would not violate an existing court order by demanding Adeyemi's appearance at the public hearing while he remains in police custody.

"As an arm of government, we respect the principle of federalism and separation of powers. We respect the powers of the judiciary, the executive and equally limit ourselves within our constitutional powers.

"We do not have the power as the National Assembly to vacate an existing court order and direct that somebody in the custody of the Nigerian Police should leave the police to appear before the National Assembly," Gagdi said.

He explained that the committee would instead meet Adeyemi privately at a time and venue that would not compromise investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other security agencies.

"We will not announce to the general public when we will interact with Prince Adeniyi because the ICPC is investigating the matter, the EFCC is investigating it, and part of the case is already before the court, alongside investigations by other agencies.

"To place the suspect before cameras in the same manner we are interacting with other witnesses could undermine the ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC.

"In view of that, we will meet him on an unannounced date and at an undisclosed location. The interaction will be recorded to ensure transparency, and, in line with the court's directive, the police will be informed and his lawyers will be present," he said.

Gagdi stressed that the committee's primary objective was to obtain clarifications from Adeyemi, regardless of whether the meeting takes place at the National Assembly or elsewhere.

"Whether he appears before this committee or this committee appears before him, the most important thing is to have an interaction with him and clarify some issues. That is exactly what we intend to do," he added.

The lawmaker also disclosed that the committee would resume its public hearing on Thursday and conclude the remaining engagements before the end of the week.

Meanwhile, testifying before the committee, Collins said his company, established in October 2017, operates in the agribusiness sector, sourcing agricultural produce from farmers for export.

He alleged that Adeyemi introduced himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

According to Collins, it was his first visit to Abuja, and the presence of security personnel, official government vehicles and what appeared to be a functioning government office convinced him that Adeyemi was a genuine government official.

"I saw police officers with him. It was my first time in Abuja, so I wasn't familiar with the city. He sent an official Lexus SUV with a federal government registration number to pick me up from the airport," Collins told the committee.

He further alleged that Adeyemi later informed him that he had been allocated an official residence that required renovation and furnishing and subsequently awarded his company the contract.

Collins claimed that Adeyemi demanded ₦400 million as proof of his company's financial capacity and as a condition for facilitating the mobilisation of the contract.

"He gave me the contract award letter, the scope of work and the agreement authorising my company to execute the refurbishment project.

"I paid ₦400 million because he said it would demonstrate my capacity to handle the project and would also fast-track the mobilisation for the contract," Collins testified before the lawmakers.