BREAKING: Court orders Adeyemi’s arrest over alleged PFIPC fraud
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for his arraignment over alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Adeyemi’s arrest after granting an oral application by the prosecution following the defendant’s absence when the matter was called.
Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force over his alleged operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has said does not exist.
The case, which has suffered repeated adjournments, came up for arraignment on Tuesday, but the defendant was absent from court.
When the prosecution through its lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, applied for a bench warrant, Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, told the court that his client feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu.
According to the lawyer, the defendant intended to remain alive to stand trial.
Responding, Justice Umar said, “The court will help him be alive,” before ordering that a bench warrant be issued for Adeyemi’s arrest.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The Federal Government, through the Police, filed the charges on November 27, 2025, accusing Adeyemi and two other suspects identified simply as Femi and Anu, who are said to be at large, of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
In count one, the defendants allegedly forged several official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads, a conveyance approval for the establishment of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, requests for approval of staff accounts, applications for office space and letters seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
Count Two of the charge sheet reads “That you Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew ‘M’ 38 years of 2nd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex Abuja, Femi, surname unknown and Anu, surname unknown, now at large, on or about 8th day of March, 2024 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court forged appointment letter purported to have been appointed by his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President Federal Republic of Nigeria, and signed by Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) (c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act
Cap M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
The prosecution also alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council, contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.
Count Five reads “That you, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew ‘M’ 38 years of 2nd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex Abuja, Femi surname unknown and Anu surname unknown now at large, sometime between 2024 and 2025 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court falsely personates as the Director General of Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 179 of the Penal Code.”
If convicted on the forgery-related counts, he risks up to 21 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.
