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How police tracked, arrested alleged PFIPC DG in Osun village

Published

3 months ago

July 15, 2026

Adeniyi Adeyemi

How police tracked, arrested alleged PFIPC DG in Osun village

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Adeyemi was apprehended during a coordinated security operation at a village in Ijesaland, where he had reportedly gone into hiding. Security sources said the operation was carried out by the Police IRT after intelligence gathered by the Department of State Services (DSS), which had tracked his movements for about five days before handing over the operation to the police.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest, stating that Adeyemi had been taken into custody and was being transported to Abuja to face prosecution.

His arrest came shortly after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court granted an application by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki, directing security agencies to arrest and produce Adeyemi before the court after he repeatedly failed to appear for his arraignment.

The defendant is expected to answer an eight-count charge bordering on alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery, fraud and impersonation in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the matter had been adjourned several times due to Adeyemi’s repeated absence.

“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” the police lawyer told the court while urging the judge to issue a bench warrant under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

However, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, opposed the application, arguing that his client had stayed away from court because of alleged threats to his life.

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According to the defence counsel, Adeyemi had previously appeared in court but later withdrew from public view after receiving what he described as credible threats to his safety.

After considering submissions from both parties, Justice Umar held that the defendant had failed to appear before the court on four consecutive occasions and consequently ordered his arrest. The judge fixed September 30, 2026, for Adeyemi’s arraignment.

Police investigations into the matter began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, headed by Femi Gbajabiamila, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over the alleged circulation of forged presidential appointment letters purportedly issued from the office.

According to investigators, preliminary findings indicated that the forged documents contained fake signatures, official seals, reference numbers and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, and were allegedly used to recruit individuals into the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organisation the Presidency has consistently maintained does not legally exist.

Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, giving the impression that the organisation was an official Federal Government agency.

Police also claimed that forged government documents linked to the council were allegedly used to open several bank accounts, including one associated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Investigators, however, said there was no evidence that public funds were paid into the accounts.

Among those expected to testify during the trial are Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), senior police officers and other witnesses connected to the investigation.

Before his arrest, Adeyemi told Channels Television that he was not evading security agencies but had deliberately withdrawn from public view because of alleged threats to his life.

“I am not hiding. I am only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger. There have been several attempts on my life,” he said.

Adeyemi also repeated his claim that he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment as Director-General of the council, alleging that those who provided the money later petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the controversy surrounding the PFIPC emerged.

He has consistently denied allegations that the PFIPC is a non-existent organisation and has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel comprising representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), ICPC, EFCC, civil society organisations, international partners and the media to investigate the controversy, including claims relating to an alleged ₦1.3 billion budget provision linked to the council.

Adeyemi further claimed that his decision to remain out of public view was influenced by the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the PFIPC matter. Tanimola reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Abuja, although authorities have not publicly linked the death to the ongoing investigation.

The arrest marks a significant development in the high-profile PFIPC investigation, with attention now shifting to Adeyemi’s arraignment and the commencement of trial in what has become one of the most closely watched alleged forgery and impersonation cases involving purported government appointments.

How police tracked, arrested alleged PFIPC DG in Osun village

Related Topics:arrested Featured Osun PFIPC DG

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Five Injured as 40-Foot Truck Rams Two Buses on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Published

55 minutes ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Five Injured as 40-Foot Truck Rams Two Buses on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Five people have sustained serious injuries after a 40-foot truck crashed into two commercial buses around Ojodu-Berger on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Lagos State.

The accident reportedly occurred at about 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, near the Berger Pedestrian Bridge, inward Kara Bridge, causing significant traffic congestion along the busy highway.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the truck, identified as a 40-foot HOWO vehicle, collided with an interstate commercial Mazda bus and a Toyota Hiace bus, both carrying passengers.

According to the agency, its operatives stationed around the Ojodu-Berger axis responded to the crash and rescued five seriously injured people, comprising three women and two men, including a driver.

The victims were taken to the Lagos State Emergency and Trauma Centre at Toll Gate for medical assessment and treatment. Motorists assisted in transporting the injured, accompanied by LASTMA officials, while police officers from the Isheri Division also supported the rescue operation.

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The collision triggered a traffic backlog extending towards Otedola Bridge, disrupting movement along the expressway, which connects Lagos with Ogun State and other parts of the South-West.

LASTMA officials managed traffic around the affected area and worked to remove the damaged vehicles from the carriageway to prevent further incidents and restore normal movement.

The vehicles involved, including the truck, were subsequently handed over to the police for investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The precise cause of the collision had not been established in the available reports.

LASTMA urged operators of heavy-duty vehicles to ensure their trucks were properly maintained and roadworthy before travelling. The agency also advised drivers to observe speed limits, comply with traffic regulations and follow instructions from traffic officials, particularly along busy highways.

The incident adds to a series of serious road crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles reported on Lagos roads in recent weeks, renewing concerns about vehicle safety and the risks posed by collisions involving trucks and passenger buses.

Motorists travelling through Ojodu-Berger, Kara Bridge and the Otedola axis were advised to exercise caution and anticipate delays while traffic officials managed the aftermath of the crash.

Five Injured as 40-Foot Truck Rams Two Buses on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

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VIDEO: Outrage as Indian National Assaults Nigerian Truck Drivers in Lagos

Published

9 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

VIDEO: Outrage as Indian National Assaults Nigerian Truck Drivers in Lagos

A viral video showing an Indian national allegedly assaulting two Nigerian truck drivers at a company’s premises along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has sparked outrage, with transport stakeholders demanding justice and calling for an investigation.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the premises of Karma Agric Feed & Foods Ltd, around Km 12 of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, opposite the old Ratcoc Quarry. The footage circulated widely on social media on Monday, October 12.

The two transport workers were identified as Rilwan Olajide, a truck driver, and Taiwo Yinusa, his motor boy. The video appears to show a confrontation between the drivers and individuals at the company’s premises, with the disagreement reportedly involving truck keys and a demand for demurrage compensation.

The situation allegedly escalated when a man identified in media reports as an Indian national struck one of the drivers with a stick. Another worker appeared to be restrained by other individuals and kicked while on the ground.

However, the full circumstances leading to the confrontation remain unclear, and the allegations have yet to be conclusively established.

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) condemned the alleged assault, describing the reported treatment of the workers as unacceptable. The association said the available video footage and other materials raised concerns about the alleged involvement of individuals connected with the company.

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AMATO stressed that disagreements over payments, truck keys or other commercial matters should be resolved through lawful means rather than violence or intimidation. It also emphasised that every person in Nigeria is entitled to dignity and protection under the law, regardless of nationality or occupation.

The association called on the relevant police authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, preserve available evidence and identify everyone involved. It urged the authorities to prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.

AMATO also appealed to the management of Karma Agric Feed & Foods Ltd to cooperate with investigators and take appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence. It maintained that accountability should be based on the actions of individuals and should not be used to stigmatise Indian nationals generally.

In a separate response, the Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Committee (LASTCOC) reportedly directed truck owners and drivers to suspend the delivery and collection of consignments to and from the company pending further action over the incident.

The directive could affect cargo movement involving the company while transport operators await the outcome of efforts to address the allegations. LASTCOC also warned that operators who disregarded the directive could face sanctions.

The reported suspension underscores the growing tension between transport stakeholders and the company following the circulation of the video.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety and treatment of Nigerian truck drivers and motor boys, who play a critical role in moving goods across the country. Transport stakeholders have insisted that workplace and commercial disputes must be handled through established procedures, with violence and intimidation investigated and addressed appropriately.

As of the latest available reports, there was no confirmed public announcement of an arrest or a formal police finding on the incident. The company’s response was also not available. The allegations therefore remain subject to investigation, and the responsibility of each person involved must be determined through due process.

VIDEO: Outrage as Indian National Assaults Nigerian Truck Drivers in Lagos

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$1bn Arms Fund: Buratai Challenges Defence Ministry to Account for Money

Published

10 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.)

$1bn Arms Fund: Buratai Challenges Defence Ministry to Account for Money

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has challenged the Ministry of Defence to explain how the $1 billion approved for military equipment procurement during his tenure was spent, insisting that neither he nor the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force handled the funds.

Buratai made the demand on Monday at the third conference of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) in Abuja, where he called for greater transparency in Nigeria’s defence spending and accountability for public funds allocated to national security.

The retired army chief said the National Economic Council (NEC) approved the $1 billion for defence procurement, but the money was released to the Ministry of Defence, which he said managed the procurement process.

“Not a single dollar of that fund passed through my hands or through the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force,” Buratai said.

He maintained that the armed services did not receive any portion of the money to initiate procurement directives, arguing that responsibility for explaining how the funds were disbursed and which contracts were awarded rested with the ministry that managed them.

Buratai described allegations surrounding the money as “political and malicious”, saying they first emerged during the 2019 general election period, when opposition figures alleged that the funds had been diverted for political purposes.

According to him, the Federal Government publicly denied the allegation at the time, but the controversy continued to damage the reputations of military service chiefs.

He faulted the Ministry of Defence for failing to publicly provide a detailed account of the disbursements and contract awards, insisting that accountability should rest with the institution responsible for managing the funds.

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“The $1 billion arms procurement controversy festered because the institution that managed the funds, the Ministry of Defence, remained silent while Service Chiefs absorbed criticism,” he said.

Buratai called for the establishment of a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish information on contracts awarded, contractors and delivery timelines, subject to legitimate national security restrictions.

He said the proposed platform would help the public understand how defence procurement funds were utilised without exposing sensitive operational information.

“When the media asks where the money went, the answer should come from the ministry that spent it, not from military officers who never touched it,” he said.

The former army chief also called for quarterly accountability bulletins summarising court-martial outcomes involving alleged human rights violations and operational misconduct.

He said such disclosures should protect the rights of accused personnel and avoid compromising ongoing military operations.

On allegations of human rights violations by security personnel, Buratai said credible complaints should be investigated and prosecuted where evidence substantiated wrongdoing.

“The military is not above the law,” he said, stressing the need for transparent disciplinary procedures capable of addressing misconduct at all levels.

At the same conference, former Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Ahmad Lawan, called for more predictable funding for the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

Lawan proposed dedicating a portion of national revenue to defence and security spending, alongside making military and security agency budgets a first-line charge to reduce delays in releasing funds.

He argued that troops could not be expected to achieve better operational results without adequate weapons, equipment and other resources.

Lawan said the National Assembly had consistently supported executive requests for security funding, adding that improved funding arrangements could help the military procure equipment in bulk and plan operations more effectively.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said military force alone could not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.

Idris, represented by Voice of Nigeria Director-General Jibrin Ndace, said military operations needed to be supported by reliable intelligence, modern technology, coordination among security agencies and cooperation with local communities.

He said the Federal Government was pursuing military modernisation, improved surveillance and intelligence-led operations to address terrorism, banditry and other security threats.

Idris also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan in August 2026.

According to the minister, the initiatives were intended to establish security priorities, improve coordination and guide the deployment of resources.

He said the President had also approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 2026, to recognise their sacrifices and improve welfare.

Idris urged journalists to verify information and report responsibly on security operations, while emphasising that responsible reporting should not shield the government or security agencies from scrutiny.

He said the media must continue asking difficult questions and holding public institutions accountable while respecting legitimate operational sensitivities.

Buratai’s demand has renewed attention on the management of the $1 billion defence procurement fund, with the former army chief insisting that the Ministry of Defence should provide an account of how the money was spent. His remarks do not, on their own, establish that the funds were misappropriated.