A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as the Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the bench warrant on Tuesday after Adeyemi failed to appear in court for his arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud, and impersonation.
The charges, filed by the police under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, also list two other suspects identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown). None of the defendants were present in court when the case was called.
Prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, urged the court to issue a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest due to his absence. Although his lawyer, Genesis Francis, appeared in court and claimed his client feared for his life, the judge dismissed the excuse and directed security agencies to arrest him wherever he is found.
The case has been adjourned to September 30 for arraignment.
According to court documents, Adeyemi allegedly operated the fictitious agency from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja. He is also accused of presenting a fake presidential appointment letter and obtaining approvals from government institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
Key witnesses listed in the case include the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside several civil servants and other individuals linked to the alleged scheme.
The controversy surrounding the PFIPC prompted President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in July.
Adeyemi had earlier denied going into hiding, claiming he withdrew from public view due to threats to his life. He also alleged that he paid N400 million through a proxy to secure the appointment, a claim yet to be substantiated.
