The arrest of the self-proclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, has intensified the controversy surrounding the alleged agency, prompting renewed calls for a wider investigation into its operations, the Senate’s oversight role, and allegations involving President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Adeyemi was arrested on Wednesday at his hideout in Osun State, following a bench warrant issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja after he repeatedly failed to appear for his arraignment.
Although authorities have yet to release full details of the operation, sources disclosed that the suspect would be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.
During the court proceedings, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, informed the court that his client declined to attend the hearing because he feared for his safety. According to the defence counsel, Adeyemi had earlier expressed those concerns in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu.
However, prosecuting counsel Wisdom Madaki argued that the defendant’s repeated absence had stalled the case and urged the court to issue a warrant for his arrest under Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Granting the application, Justice Umar noted that the charges were filed on November 27, 2025, and that Adeyemi had appeared in court only once before failing to attend subsequent proceedings. The judge consequently ordered his arrest and adjourned the matter until September 30.
The development has triggered fresh political reactions, with the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, calling on President Tinubu to suspend Gbajabiamila to allow for what he described as an independent investigation into corruption allegations against the presidential aide.
In a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku argued that the Federal Government must demonstrate consistency in its anti-corruption campaign by ensuring that allegations against senior officials are thoroughly investigated.
The former vice president referenced the suspension of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, insisting that similar standards should apply in the current case.
Atiku also expressed concern over allegations that Gbajabiamila unlawfully diverted oil and gas royalties through the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), stressing that public officials should not be shielded from scrutiny.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore also weighed in on the matter, alleging that Adeyemi’s arrest was part of an effort to conceal the truth behind an alleged N400 million bribery scandal.
In a post on X, Sowore claimed the circumstances surrounding the arrest suggested an official cover-up rather than a genuine attempt to uncover the facts. He insisted that Gbajabiamila should equally be investigated if the authorities were committed to transparency.
Sowore further alleged that the individual accused of receiving the purported bribe on behalf of the Chief of Staff had died under mysterious circumstances, while the hotel where the alleged transaction reportedly took place had been demolished. He also accused the Federal Government of attempting to obstruct justice.
Meanwhile, former senator Femi Okunrounmu commended Adeyemi’s arrest but faulted the Senate for allegedly failing to carry out its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
According to him, the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution to investigate public agencies, monitor the use of appropriated funds, and expose corruption or inefficiency in government institutions.
Okunrounmu argued that effective oversight by the legislature could have uncovered questions surrounding the PFIPC much earlier. He also stressed the need for lawmakers to conduct proper due diligence before approving funding for government agencies.
While acknowledging the controversy surrounding Adeyemi’s repeated absence from court, the former lawmaker cautioned against premature conclusions, noting that the defendant had consistently claimed he feared for his life while continuing to grant media interviews from hiding.
He added that although opinions remain divided over calls for the suspension of government officials linked to the controversy, the priority should be a transparent and credible investigation capable of restoring public confidence.
