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The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged fake Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following the discovery of legal loopholes in the prosecution’s case.
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charges on Monday, October 12, 2026, following an application by the Federal Government during proceedings at the court in Abuja.
Consequently, the Federal Government has filed fresh charges against Adeyemi before the FCT High Court, where he is expected to be re-arraigned.
FG identifies jurisdictional issues in charges
During Monday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had examined the case file and the charges originally instituted by the Inspector-General of Police.
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According to Oyedepo, the review uncovered legal shortcomings, particularly concerning the appropriate court to hear allegations involving documents purportedly forged by Adeyemi in connection with the operations of the controversial agency.
He explained that the alleged offences relating to the documents fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court, where the case was initially filed.
The decision followed a review of the case by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), which identified jurisdictional issues that required the prosecution to be transferred to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Oyedepo assured the court that the prosecution intended to proceed with Adeyemi’s fresh arraignment without unnecessary delay.
Adeyemi’s defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, raised no objection to the application, prompting Justice Umar to strike out the charge.
Adeyemi’s earlier arraignment and arrest warrant
Adeyemi had pleaded not guilty to all eight counts bordering on alleged conspiracy and forgery when he was arraigned before Justice Umar at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 30, 2026.
- The charges, initially instituted by the Nigeria Police Force, were read to Adeyemi during the proceedings, after which he denied each allegation.
- At the arraignment, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation formally took over the prosecution from the police, with Oyedepo announcing the decision before the court.
- Following his plea, Justice Umar ordered Adeyemi’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned proceedings until October 12 for consideration of his bail application and the substantive case.
His arraignment came more than two months after the Federal High Court issued a warrant for his arrest on July 14, 2026, following his failure to appear for scheduled proceedings.
ICPC investigation finds alleged appointment forgery
The criminal proceedings stem from allegations that Adeyemi operated the PFIPC as a government agency without presidential authorisation, a claim he has repeatedly disputed.
The controversy intensified after Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s denial of the agency’s existence, accusing the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of making inconsistent statements about the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
- In July, Adeyemi claimed he borrowed N400 million to facilitate his appointment as the council’s Director-General, alleging that payments were made through intermediaries and that additional funds were demanded.
- He also cited references to the PFIPC and PEAC in the 2026 Appropriation Act to question the government’s position that the council was fictitious. His allegations against presidential officials have not been substantiated.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the purported agency, including allegations of forged appointment documents and possible involvement of public officials.
In August, the ICPC reported that its investigation found no legal basis for the PFIPC’s establishment and concluded that the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged.
Despite these findings, Adeyemi has maintained that the agency was legitimate and denied wrongdoing.
