A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for his arraignment on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Grassroots Parrot reports that Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday after granting an oral application by the prosecution following the defendant’s absence in court.
Adeyemi was expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force over his alleged operation of the purported PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has repeatedly stated does not exist.
When the case was called, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, informed the court that his client stayed away because he feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu over the alleged threats.
According to the defence counsel, Adeyemi wanted to remain alive to face trial. In response, Justice Umar remarked, “The court will help him be alive,” before issuing the bench warrant and adjourning the matter until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The Federal Government, through the police, accuses Adeyemi and two other suspects, identified simply as Femi and Anu, who remain at large, of forging several official government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
READ ALSO: Kano Judge Sacked, Others Suspended Over Misconduct
The charge also alleges that the defendants forged State House letterheads, approval documents for establishing the PFIPC, requests for staff accounts, applications for office space, and letters seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
Prosecutors further allege that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, contrary to the Penal Code.
If convicted, he faces up to 21 years imprisonment on the forgery-related charges, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment or a fine.
Adeyemi’s absence from court came a day after he told Channels Television that he was not hiding from security agencies but feared for his life due to alleged assassination attempts.
He also repeated his claim that he paid 400 million through an intermediary to secure the disputed appointment and maintained that the PFIPC is a legitimate agency.
Police investigations began after the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the circulation of alleged forged presidential appointment letters.
Investigators claim the forged documents bore fake signatures, official seals, reference numbers and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, and were used to present the PFIPC as a legitimate government agency operating from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi continues to deny wrongdoing and has called on President Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the controversy surrounding the PFIPC and its reported allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.