ADC rejects ICPC probe, demands independent panel on PFIPC scandal

…urges Tinubu to direct Gbajabiamila to proceed on leave

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s decision directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, insisting that only an independent judicial panel can conduct a credible probe.

In a statement on Wednesday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that an agency under the executive arm of government could not impartially investigate a scandal in which the Presidency itself was a central subject.

The ADC said while it welcomed the President’s decision to order an investigation, it viewed the move as an acknowledgement of its earlier call for a probe into the controversy.

“The President has now accepted the central argument advanced by the ADC, that this matter requires an investigation and should not simply be explained away,” the party said.

It, however, maintained that assigning the investigation to the ICPC amounted to “keeping the probe in-house” and raised concerns that the President could become “a judge in his own case.”

According to the party, an independent panel comprising respected Nigerians would inspire greater public confidence and restore credibility to the process.

The ADC also accused the Presidency of prejudging the outcome of the investigation by describing the appointment letters and other documents linked to the scandal as forged before any inquiry had commenced.

It said investigators should be allowed to determine independently whether the documents were forged, improperly issued, fraudulently obtained or legitimately authorised by the Presidency.

The opposition party further called on the President to direct his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila to proceed on leave if the investigation would extend to officials connected to the Presidency, arguing that allowing him to remain in office could undermine public confidence in the exercise.

It also demanded that the federal government make the findings of the investigation public, insisting that the full, unredacted report should be released and its recommendations implemented without fear or favour.

“The credibility of the entire exercise depends on allowing investigators to follow the evidence wherever it leads, rather than predetermining the outcome through official pronouncements,” the statement added.

The ADC also condemned the reported arrest of the father of the central figure in the controversy, Adeyemi Adeniyi, describing the action as intimidation and contrary to the principles of justice.

According to the party, Nigerian law does not recognise vicarious criminal liability, stressing that only a suspect accused of committing an offence should be arrested.

The party warned that arresting relatives while public officials connected to the matter remained in office created the impression that the government was attempting to suppress the truth.

Describing the PFIPC controversy as a national security issue that exposed weaknesses within government institutions, the ADC vowed to continue monitoring developments and insisted that the matter should not be swept aside without a transparent and independent investigation.