Court orders arrest of alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi over forgery, fraud charges

Court orders arrest of alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi over forgery, fraud charges

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after he failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment over allegations of forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday when the criminal case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, was called and the defendant was absent from court. The judge granted an application by police prosecutor, Wisdom Madaki, directing law enforcement agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court.

Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and fraud. The charges, filed by the Nigeria Police on November 27, 2025, also named two other defendants who are reportedly at large.

The prosecution told the court that Adeyemi’s absence prevented the commencement of his arraignment, prompting the request for a warrant of arrest. Although a lawyer announced an appearance on his behalf, the court held that the defendant must personally appear to take his plea.

The case has generated widespread public attention following allegations that Adeyemi presented himself as the head of a presidential agency that the Federal Government insists does not exist.

According to the charge, Adeyemi and the other defendants allegedly forged several official government documents to create the impression that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) was a legitimate federal agency. The police accused them of producing and circulating fake documents, including an alleged presidential appointment letter, forged State House correspondence, documents purportedly approving the establishment of the council, requests for the opening of government bank accounts, applications for office accommodation and letters seeking collaboration with federal ministries and agencies.

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Investigators further alleged that the accused operated the purported council from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja while presenting it as an official government institution.

The prosecution has lined up several witnesses for the trial, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation—Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu—as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police and other investigators involved in the case.

The prosecution is also expected to tender documentary evidence, including the petition submitted by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Inspector-General of Police, investigation reports, witness statements and the alleged forged appointment documents.

The court’s decision came barely a day after Adeyemi denied reports that he had gone into hiding to evade arrest. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he insisted that he was not avoiding security agencies but had stayed away from public appearances because of fears for his safety.

According to him, there had been several attempts on his life, adding that he was willing to appear publicly when his safety could be guaranteed.

Adeyemi also repeated his controversial claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council. He alleged that individuals from whom he borrowed the money later petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the payment.

The Presidency has consistently maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency. The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police after allegedly discovering forged appointment letters and other official documents bearing the name of the State House.

Authorities insist that the alleged council was never established by the Federal Government and have described Adeyemi as an impostor facing criminal prosecution.

Following Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, when Adeyemi is expected to be produced before the court for arraignment if the arrest warrant has been executed.

The case is expected to remain in the spotlight as prosecutors seek to prove allegations that forged presidential documents were used to create and operate a non-existent federal agency.

Court orders arrest of alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi over forgery, fraud charges