Adeniyi Adeyemi
Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), following his absence from court for his arraignment.
The arrest order was granted after police counsel, Wisdom Madaki, made an oral application urging the court to compel the defendant’s appearance.
Adeyemi was expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation. Although the matter was listed as number 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant failed to appear. His lawyer, Genesis Francis, however, announced his appearance before the court.
While moving the application, the prosecution told the court that the defendant had repeatedly failed to honour court proceedings.
“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” Madaki said.
Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest.
The application was opposed by defence counsel, who argued that his client’s absence was due to alleged threats to his life.
The defence lawyer also reminded the court that Adeyemi had appeared on May 16 when the matter was previously scheduled before it was adjourned.
After considering submissions from both parties, Justice Umar ruled in favour of the prosecution.
The judge observed that although the charge was filed on November 27, 2025, the matter first came up on December 4, 2025, and noted that the defendant had appeared in court only once since the commencement of proceedings.
“Since then, he has failed to appear before this court on four consecutive dates,” Justice Umar stated.
The court subsequently issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court on September 30 for his arraignment.
According to the charge, Adeyemi is accused of forging documents purportedly issued from the Presidency, including an appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
He is also accused of forging presidential letterheaded papers dated March 8, 2024, as well as documents seeking collaboration with government agencies, requests for office space, approval of staff account status, land requisition across the 36 states and a conveyance approval allegedly originating from the State House.
The prosecution further alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
The eight-count charge includes one count of conspiracy to commit forgery, six counts of forgery under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, and one count of false personation contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.
Two other suspects identified only as Femi and Anu, whose surnames remain unknown, are also listed in the charge and are currently at large.
