The House of Representatives Committee investigating the operations of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to produce the self-acclaimed Director-General of the organisation, Adeyemi Adeniyi, before it on Wednesday.

The directive was issued on Monday during the resumed investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Representing the IG, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bashir Abdullahi, appeared before the committee and was instructed to ensure Adeyemi’s appearance by noon on Wednesday to assist lawmakers in their ongoing investigation into the activities of the organisation.

The committee is probing the circumstances under which the PFIPC, despite not being legally established, allegedly secured office accommodation in Phase III of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and received a budgetary allocation of ₦1.32bn in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The directive followed the Nigeria Police Force’s confirmation of key aspects of its criminal investigation, including petitions from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President alleging that Adeyemi fraudulently presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

The Committee Chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, said Adeyemi’s appearance had become imperative given the seriousness of the allegations and the institutions implicated in the matter.

“This committee clearly needs the suspected DG to appear before this committee. People’s names are involved. People’s integrity are involved. Institutional names are involved. Institutional integrity is involved.

“It is not an option now. We will need him here to confirm some documents to us in such a way that will not undermine our investigation to enable us to submit our report on time,” Gagdi said.

The committee subsequently directed its clerk to formally communicate its resolution to the Inspector-General of Police.

“The committee hereby resolves that the Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do kindly present Mr Adeyemi on Wednesday by 12 noon. That is the ruling of the committee,” Gagdi declared.

Earlier, ACP Abdullahi informed lawmakers that although investigations were ongoing, the police had already filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi before the Federal High Court.

“The Nigerian Police Force investigated part of this case late last year and filed eight-count charges before a Federal High Court. The case is ongoing,” he said.

He disclosed that the suspect had been arrested and arraigned, but cautioned against making public disclosures that could prejudice the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

“We don’t want to say things that are under investigation. It is definitely going to prejudice the ongoing investigation and make people have opinions that may prejudge the outcome of an investigation or judicial decision,” Abdullahi stated.

Despite the police’s reservations, the committee sought confirmation of documentary evidence already in its possession.

The police confirmed that on October 17, 2025, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned security agencies over allegations against Adeyemi, prompting investigations that culminated in criminal charges bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

Investigators also confirmed receiving another petition alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

According to the police, the petition alleged that Adeyemi used the purported office to obtain accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, sought approval to recruit about 300 personnel, attempted to secure a $1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the non-existent agency, and planned to organise a World Investment Summit under the platform of the purported council.

One of the highlights of the hearing came when the committee compared signatures on documents allegedly issued from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President with signatures on authentic official correspondence obtained by the police.

When asked whether the signatures matched, the police witness responded unequivocally,”They are not the same.”

The committee said the discrepancy reinforced concerns that official State House documents may have been forged.

Gagdi further asked, “So, it is not only a letter that was suspected to be forged? We are dealing with documents that include what is said to be a forged Act of the National Assembly in an attempt to establish a fake agency,” he added.

Gagdi disclosed that investigators had identified about 29 allegedly forged documents, including purported approvals from the State House, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance and several other government institutions.

According to him, representatives of many of the affected agencies had already appeared before the committee and disowned the documents attributed to their offices.

Gagdi, however, stressed that the committee had deliberately avoided compelling the police to disclose information that could compromise ongoing criminal investigations.

“We are avoiding a situation whereby they will be pushed to make statements that will undermine their ongoing investigation,” he added.

He assured that the House investigation would continue independently and that its final report could recommend further action by relevant security agencies.

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The United Kingdom on Monday updated its financial requirements for applicants seeking Student and Child Student visas, retaining stricter evidence rules while exempting nationals of only three African countries from submitting proof of funds at the point of application.

The updated guidance, published by the UK government on its website, listed Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia as the only African countries whose nationals will not be required to provide financial evidence upfront unless requested during the visa decision-making process.

Other countries on the exemption list include Australia, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, among others.

Despite the exemption, the UK clarified that applicants from the listed countries must still meet all financial requirements and could be asked to provide evidence during the application process.

The guidance stated, “You must meet the financial requirements for this route when you apply; however, you may not need to submit evidence upfront as part of your application. In these circumstances, the decision maker may still request the evidence from you during the application process to prove you meet the financial requirements.”

The development means applicants from major African source countries for UK education, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt and others not listed, will continue to submit financial documents as part of their visa applications.

Under the revised rules, applicants for a Student visa must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees as stated on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and living expenses.

Students studying outside London are required to show they have £1,171 for each month of their course, up to a maximum of nine months, while those studying in London must show £1,529 per month for the same period.

Applicants travelling with dependants must also show additional funds. Those studying outside London must have £680 per month for each dependant, while applicants studying in London must show £845 monthly for each dependant, both for up to nine months.

For Child Student visa applicants, the required maintenance funds vary depending on their living arrangements, including boarding school accommodation, foster care, residence with parents or legal guardians, or independent living for eligible 16 and 17-year-olds.

The UK government also outlined acceptable sources of funds, including government-backed student loans, official financial sponsorship, personal savings and money belonging to parents or eligible partners.

However, it said applicants cannot rely on overdrafts, cryptocurrency holdings, stocks and shares, pensions or funds kept in unregulated financial institutions.

The guidance further requires applicants using personal or family funds to show that the required amount has been held for at least 28 consecutive days before the application, with financial evidence dated no more than 31 days before submission.

The UK also maintained exemptions from providing financial evidence for certain categories of applicants, including those applying to extend their stay after spending at least 12 months in the country on a valid visa, Student Union Sabbatical Officers, doctors and dentists in training, and applicants whose nationality qualifies for the reduced documentary requirement.

The latest update comes as the UK continues to tighten oversight of its international student visa system while maintaining financial eligibility requirements for prospective students seeking to study in the country.

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The husband of Rachael Alamu, the Oyo State school principal who recently regained her freedom after spending more than 50 days in captivity, has revealed that he eventually blocked the kidnappers’ phone numbers during negotiations because their repeated threats were taking a serious toll on his health.

Professor Wole Alamu made the disclosure while giving a testimony during a thanksgiving service following his wife’s release, recounting how constant communication with the abductors left him emotionally drained, physically destabilised and battling high blood pressure.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Mrs Alamu, the principal of Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, was among pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen on May 15, 2026.

The victims spent more than 50 days in captivity before regaining their freedom after a rescue operation announced by the Federal Government.

During the emotional testimony, Professor Alamu described the experience as the greatest challenge his family had ever faced, saying the kidnapping disrupted what had been a quiet family life centred on academics, work and Christian service.

“I want to say to my family, we are a very quiet family. We just come to work for God and we go home. We do not make noise.

“I am very sure if you search my name on Google, before now, what you would mostly see was academics.”

He admitted that his wife’s abduction came as a personal embarrassment.

“My wife’s abduction was an embarrassment to me,” he said.

Despite the painful experience, the professor expressed gratitude for what he described as the swift response of security agencies immediately after the incident.

“They abducted my wife and other people. I got to Osiele.

“I would like to say that within 45 minutes, the General Officer Commanding of the 2nd Mechanised Division was already there. The Commissioner of Police was already there before me. Two helicopters were already combing the forest one hour before I got there.

“It can only be God, and it is an answered prayer from my pastor and every member of this association.”

He urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, saying difficult situations often expose a person’s spiritual foundation.

“We are all needy people. We should always abide in the presence of the Lord.”

Addressing men during the service, Professor Alamu admitted that the experience humbled him despite initially believing he could withstand the emotional pressure.

“We the men, I know we are strong-hearted and stubborn. Big boys don’t cry. Big boys can become small boys.

“The night they abducted them, I went to meet Reverend and told him, ‘I will be strong.’

“I thought I was strong because that night was the longest night I ever lived.”

According to him, the ordeal taught him the importance of living a righteous Christian life before adversity strikes.

“If you don’t live right and this challenge faces you, the devil will come and tell you, ‘See yourself now.’

“The Bible says the devil is the accuser of the brethren. I saw it graphically.”

Professor Alamu disclosed that he communicated directly with the kidnappers for about three weeks before deciding to cut off all contact because of the effect the conversations were having on his health.

“When my wife was abducted, I was chatting with the abductors for the first three weeks.

“I was threatened and immediately they threatened me, I was always destabilised.

“There was a day I went for a medical check-up. They sent me a text message and I became destabilised. By the time I got to the clinic, I could not even do the check-up because my blood pressure had already increased.”

He said he eventually concluded that continuing communication with the kidnappers was putting his own life at risk.

“That day I decided I would block these people.

“You cannot kill me here and kill her there. Choose one. If you want to take her, she is going to be with Christ.

“You cannot kill the two of us at the same time.”

Professor Alamu said the kidnappers later confronted his wife after discovering they had been blocked.

“They went to her and said, ‘Madam, your husband has blocked us. We are going to kill you.’

“She replied, ‘You will not kill me in Jesus’ name.’”

He further revealed that the kidnappers allegedly left a cutlass beside her, apparently expecting her to take her own life.

“They left one cutlass beside the Madam Principal.

“When they came back, they were blaming one another, saying, ‘You left a cutlass beside the Madam Principal so she could kill herself.’

“My wife replied immediately, ‘I will not kill myself and you too will not kill me.’

“I thank God for that boldness. She spoke positively.”

According to the professor, the incident drew support from individuals and organisations across Nigeria and abroad.

He said he received calls from places including California and Los Angeles in the United States, while some international organisations reached out with offers to assist.

“I got some numbers calling me, especially from California and Los Angeles in the U.S.

“One of them sent me a proposal of about six pages.

“There were NGOs that God used to assist me. Some said they wanted to take over negotiations but later said they would have to deal directly with the government.”

Reflecting on the experience, Professor Alamu urged Christians not to treat their faith casually, saying trials often reveal the true depth of one’s relationship with God.

“If you want to be a Christian, please be a Christian.

“If you don’t want to be, it is better you go out so that when challenges come, you are on your own and people won’t be praying in vain.”

He also recalled how people from different religious backgrounds rallied around him during the crisis.

“The first set of people that visited me were the Muslim community of Oyo State.

“The second set of people that visited me were the Muslim community in LAUTECH,” he said.

Quoting Psalm 126, Professor Alamu said the family’s sorrow had been turned into joy, adding that although the kidnapping remains the greatest trial he has faced since giving his life to Christ in 1990, it has strengthened his faith in God’s power.

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy,” he said.

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