HURIWA alleges Reps Committee of political whitewash, claims PFIPC probe is predetermined

By Aliyu Adam 

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has launched a scathing attack on the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), alleges the panel of conducting a political motivated exercise aimed at shielding powerful public officials while undermining the judiciary.

According to a statement released on Thursday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group alleged that the committee had abandoned the principles of impartial legislative oversight and was instead staging what it called a “political cover-up” by reaching conclusions on issues already pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.

HURIWA argued that the committee’s public declaration that the appointment letter allegedly linked to Prince Adeyemi was fake, alongside repeated comments on the authenticity of documents tendered before it, created the impression that the outcome of the investigation had been predetermined.

The group added that the committee had assumed the roles of investigator, prosecutor and judge, contrary to the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers.

“It is not legislative oversight; it is legislative overreach. It is not accountability but an attempt to shape public perception while judicial proceedings are still pending,” said the HURIWA

The association expressed concern that the committee was proceeding with sweeping public pronouncements despite the substantive issues remaining before the courts, warning that such actions could prejudice ongoing judicial proceedings and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.

While faulting the Nigeria Police Force for repeatedly failing to produce Prince Adeyemi before the panel despite requests from lawmakers, describing the development as inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of fair hearing.

HURIWA, argued that the absence of the principal figure at the centre of the controversy deprived him of the opportunity to confront the allegations publicly and present his own account before the committee.

The rights group further alleged that the investigation appeared designed to exonerate certain influential public officials while focusing almost exclusively on one detained suspect.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow The Lagos Voice on WhatsApp channel for latest updates

It maintained that given the gravity of the allegations surrounding the PFIPC controversy, every public official connected with the matter should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny.

HURIWA questioned how allegedly forged documents could have passed through several government ministries, departments and agencies without being detected, insisting that any credible investigation must examine possible institutional failures rather than identify what it described as a convenient scapegoat.

The organisation called on the House of Representatives to halt further public pronouncements capable of prejudicing the pending court proceedings and allow the judiciary to determine the matter independently.

It also urged the Nigeria Police Force to comply with all lawful processes relating to Prince Adeyemi and guarantee his constitutional right to fair hearing.

HURIWA maintained that the credibility of the investigation would ultimately depend not on televised accusations or dramatic public hearings but on whether justice is seen to be impartial, transparent and firmly rooted in the rule of law.