The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken over the prosecution of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to eight charges filed against him, including alleged conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation. The charges were read and explained to him in court, and he responded with a "not guilty" plea. The case has generated significant public interest, and the prosecution has urged the court to order an accelerated trial.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, led the prosecution and informed the court that Adeyemi was now due to face trial. Oyedepo stated that he was appearing in the matter on the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation, signalling the formal takeover of the case by the Federal Government from the Nigeria Police Force. The police originally instituted the charges against Adeyemi and two other suspects, Femi and Anu, who are currently at large.
The charges against Adeyemi and the other suspects border on alleged forgery of documents purporting to emanate from the State House and other government authorities. The police accused them of conspiring to commit forgery and producing documents that allegedly bore the signature of President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. The forged documents include an appointment letter, presidential letter-headed papers, and requests for collaboration with a ministry and office space.
Adeyemi's counsel, Genesis Francis, opposed the prosecution's request to remand him in prison custody, citing a bail application that had been filed on January 12. Francis stated that the bail application had been served on the prosecution, which had also filed its response. The court will now consider the bail application. The case has been ongoing since November 27, 2025, when the police filed the eight-count charge against Adeyemi and the other suspects.
The Federal Government's decision to take over the case followed complaints about the activities of the purported PFIPC. The presidency had alerted the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force in October 2025 about the forged appointment letters bearing Gbajabiamila's signature, reference numbers, and official seals. The letters were allegedly being used to legitimise the purported agency.
The eighth count of the charges concerns an alleged forged conveyance approval relating to the take-off of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. Adeyemi is accused of falsely representing himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC between 2024 and 2025. The prosecution has urged the court to order an accelerated trial, citing the high level of public interest generated by the case.
The case is set to continue, with the court expected to rule on the bail application and fix a date for the trial. Adeyemi's plea of "not guilty" to the eight charges has paved the way for a full trial. The Federal Government's takeover of the case signals its commitment to prosecuting those accused of forgery and impersonation.
Key points
- The Federal Government has taken over the prosecution of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
- Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to eight charges of alleged conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
- The case has generated significant public interest, and the prosecution has urged the court to order an accelerated trial.
