Akpabio says matter is sub judice as court case and ICPC investigation are already underway.
The Senate has, for the second time, rejected a motion seeking an independent legislative investigation into the controversy surrounding the alleged fake appointment of Adeniyi Adeyemi as Director-General of the disputed Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC).
The matter was brought before the Senate on Wednesday by Senator Suleiman Kawu, who attempted to raise it under matters of urgent public importance. However, the upper chamber declined to consider the motion.
Ruling on the request, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said it would be inappropriate for the Senate to launch a separate investigation because the matter is already before a court and President Bola Tinubu had directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations.
Akpabio said the issue had been overtaken by events, adding that any further legislative probe could amount to interference in a matter before the court.
However, Senator Kawu maintained that the National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight, regardless of ongoing executive or judicial actions.
The Senate’s decision followed the arrest of Adeyemi by the police after an order issued by Justice Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Adeyemi, who had been presenting himself as the Director-General of the council, was expected to face an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation.
The court, however, directed security agencies to arrest and produce him for arraignment on September 30.
The Federal Government alleges that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He is also accused of allegedly forging presidential letter-headed documents, falsely presenting himself as a government official and using the claims to seek recognition and diplomatic support.
Adeyemi had circulated photographs of himself with prominent Nigerians on social media while claiming to hold the position of Director-General of the agency.
The Presidency had denied his claims, while President Tinubu later ordered the ICPC to investigate allegations surrounding forged documents, false claims of presidential appointment and the alleged opening of bank accounts in the names of government agencies using questionable documents.
The ICPC investigation is expected to cover the circumstances surrounding the alleged appointment documents and other related claims.