The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the embattled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, in the Kuje Correctional Centre. Adeyemi, 38, was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation. The case was taken over by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), appeared for the Federal Government.
Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to each of the eight counts, which include conspiracy to forge official documents, forgery of an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu, and impersonation. The prosecution alleges that Adeyemi operated the purported council from an office in the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja. The case was initially instituted by the Nigeria Police Force against Adeyemi and two other suspects, Femi and Anu, who are still at large.
The prosecution opposed Adeyemi's bail application, citing the circumstances surrounding his conduct prior to his arrest and arraignment. The defence counsel, Genesis Francis, had asked the court to consider his client's bail application, citing a medical appointment scheduled for Friday. However, the prosecution assured the court that Adeyemi would have access to adequate medical attention while in custody. Justice Umar declined to hear the bail application, citing the volume of cases on the court's cause list.
Adeyemi's arraignment followed a previous failure to appear in court, prompting Justice Umar to issue an arrest warrant. He was subsequently arrested about 24 hours after the order. The prosecution has listed several witnesses it intends to call during the trial, including Femi Gbajabiamila, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, police officers, and civil servants. Some of the witnesses are alleged to have worked with Adeyemi at the purported agency.
The controversy surrounding the purported PFIPC escalated after Adeyemi alleged that he paid N400m through a middleman as part of a larger arrangement to secure his appointment as the council's Director-General. He also accused Gbajabiamila of involvement in the alleged payment arrangement, an allegation the Chief of Staff has denied. The dispute subsequently generated a separate N15bn suit filed by Gbajabiamila against Adeyemi over alleged bribery.
The Presidency had denied that the council was an established government agency, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission was subsequently directed to investigate the activities surrounding the purported council. The ICPC later said Adeyemi's appointment letter was fraudulent and did not originate from the Presidency. The police investigation was reportedly triggered by a petition from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President over the activities of persons allegedly forging official appointment letters.
The trial and hearing of Adeyemi's bail application will continue on October 12, 2026. Adeyemi has denied the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to all eight counts. The court adjourned the matter until October 12, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and continuation of the substantive trial.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja remanded Adeniyi Adeyemi in the Kuje Correctional Centre after he pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
- Adeyemi's arraignment followed a previous failure to appear in court, prompting Justice Umar to issue an arrest warrant.
- The trial and hearing of Adeyemi's bail application will continue on October 12, 2026.
