The Federal Government of Nigeria has arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, a 38-year-old man, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of creating and operating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to eight counts of alleged forgery and impersonation after the charges were read to him before Justice Mohammed Umar. The charges stem from allegations that Adeyemi operated the PFIPC and presented documents suggesting that the organisation had official presidential backing.
According to the prosecution, Adeyemi, alongside two others, forged an appointment letter on March 8, 2024, purporting to show that he had been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The alleged appointment letter was said to have been signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. The prosecution alleges that the document was forged and that its creation and use constituted an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act. The court has ordered Adeyemi’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation had directed the ministry to take over the case from the Nigeria Police Force, which originally instituted the charges. Oyedepo said the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation would review the facts and case file but urged the court to accept the existing charge and proceed with the arraignment. He subsequently asked the court to grant an accelerated hearing, citing the high level of public interest surrounding the case.
Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, informed the court that the defence had already filed a bail application on January 12, which had been served on the prosecution. Francis said the application had also been responded to by the prosecution and relied on grounds including the defendant’s alleged ill health. The court fixed October 12 and 13 for the hearing of the bail application and further proceedings in the case.
The case has generated controversy, with the Presidency denying that the PFIPC was an officially established government body. Adeyemi has challenged that position and accused the Chief of Staff of making conflicting statements regarding the purported PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC). He has also called for an independent investigation into the two organisations and alleged that money was demanded in connection with his purported appointment.
Adeyemi had previously failed to appear for scheduled proceedings, prompting the Federal High Court to issue an arrest warrant. The alleged PFIPC has been at the centre of controversy, with Adeyemi questioning references to the PFIPC and PEAC in the 2026 Appropriation Act. He argued that their appearance in the legislation raised questions about the government’s assertion that the bodies did not officially exist.
The court proceedings are ongoing, with the prosecution requesting that Adeyemi be remanded in custody pending the conclusion of the proceedings. The defendant will have his bail application heard on October 12 and 13.
Key points
- Adeyemi faces eight counts of alleged forgery and impersonation.
- The prosecution alleges that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purporting to show that he had been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
- The court has ordered Adeyemi’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
