The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant for the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who paraded himself as the Director-General of a non-existent agency, the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the bench warrant on Tuesday after Adeyemi failed to appear in court to take his plea in an 8-count criminal case filed by the Nigeria Police Force.
Defendant Skips Court 5 Times
Prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, told the court this was the fifth time Adeyemi had failed to attend trial. He said all previous adjournments were at the instance of the defendant.
Citing Section 349 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Madaki urged the court to order Adeyemi’s arrest and production in court.
Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, opposed the application. He told the court his client’s life was under threat and referenced an open letter to President Bola Tinubu that had gone viral. Francis said the case had “assumed national significance.”
Justice Umar dismissed the defense argument and granted the prosecution’s request.
“The defendant showed up only once since this case commenced on December 4, 2025. He has failed to show up for more than four consecutive adjournments. For this reason, I will accede to the application of the prosecution and issue a bench warrant against the defendant,” the judge ruled.
The court ordered that the warrant be served on Adeyemi and that he be produced in court on September 30, 2026 for arraignment.
The Allegations
Adeyemi, 38, is charged alongside two others — Femi and Anu, both now at large — with forgery, impersonation, and other offences.
Prosecutors allege that Adeyemi:
– Secured office space on the 2nd Floor of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, for a non-existent council
– Opened multiple bank accounts in the name of PFIPC
– Secured a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget despite being publicly disowned by the Presidency
– Forged documents including appointment letters purportedly signed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, presidential letterhead, and requests for land, offices, and staff accounts across 36 states
He was arrested by the DSS in June 2026 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The 8 Charges
The charges against Adeyemi and the two others at large include:
Conspiracy to commit forgery, Sec 1(2)(c) Miscellaneous Offences Act. Forgery of presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Forgery of Presidential letter headed paper. Forgery of request for land/offices in 36 states purportedly from State House. Impersonation – Falsely presenting as DG of PFIPC – Sec 179 Penal Code. Forgery of requests for office space from State House. Forgery of staff accounts approval request from State House. Forgery of ‘take-off’ approval for Presidential Economic Advisory Council/PFIPC
The Presidency has since disowned PFIPC and warned the public against dealing with Adeyemi or anyone claiming to represent the council.
