The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s decision to assign the investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), insisting that only an independent judicial panel can guarantee a credible and transparent probe.
The party stated its position in a statement posted on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
According to the ADC, although it acknowledged the President’s directive ordering the ICPC to investigate the alleged activities of the PFIPC, entrusting the probe to an agency under the Executive could undermine public confidence in the process.
“The Presidency that is at the very heart of a historic scandal such as this does not have the credibility to authorise an investigation into a matter that has brought an entire country into disrepute,” the statement read.
The party urged President Tinubu to constitute an independent judicial panel to investigate the matter, saying the panel should determine whether the disputed appointment letters and other official documents linked to the alleged council were forged, improperly issued or lawfully authorised.
The ADC also called on the President to direct his Chief of Staff to proceed on leave if the investigation would involve officials within the Presidency, arguing that allowing key officials to remain in office during the probe could create the impression of interference.
It further demanded that the findings of the investigation be released in full to the public upon completion.
The opposition party also condemned the reported arrest of the father of Adeniyi Adeyemi, describing the action as an act of intimidation.
“If indeed, a crime has been committed, only the suspect can be legally arrested. It is an established fact that Nigerian law does not have provision for vicarious liability,” the statement added.
