The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of posing as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar struck out the charge on Monday following an application by the prosecution, which said a review of the case revealed legal issues concerning the court’s jurisdiction.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where fresh charges had been filed.
Oyedepo asked the judge to strike out the existing charge to allow Adeyemi to be arraigned afresh before the FCT High Court. Defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application.
Adeyemi, 38, had been charged alongside two other defendants, identified only as Femi and Anu, who are reportedly at large. The charges include conspiracy and forgery relating to the operation of the purported agency.
The case will now proceed before the FCT High Court. The striking out of the charge does not amount to an acquittal.
