Court strikes out charges against alleged fake PFIPC DG, FG files fresh case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged fake Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), over legal loopholes in the prosecution’s case.

Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charges on Monday, October 12, 2026, after the Federal Government applied for the case to be moved. The Federal Government has now filed fresh charges against Adeyemi before the FCT High Court, where he is expected to be re-arraigned.

FG cites jurisdiction issues

At Monday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had examined the case file and the charges originally instituted by the Inspector-General of Police.

Oyedepo said the review uncovered legal shortcomings, especially on the appropriate court to hear allegations involving documents purportedly forged by Adeyemi in connection with the operations of the controversial agency. He said the alleged offences relating to the documents fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court, not the Federal High Court where the case was first filed.

The decision followed a review by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, which identified jurisdictional issues and required the prosecution to be transferred to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Oyedepo assured the court that the prosecution would proceed with Adeyemi’s fresh arraignment without unnecessary delay. Defence counsel Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, raised no objection, prompting Justice Umar to strike out the charge.

Earlier arraignment and remand

Adeyemi had pleaded not guilty to all eight counts bordering on alleged conspiracy and forgery when he was arraigned before Justice Umar at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 30, 2026. The charges, initially instituted by the Nigeria Police Force, were read to him, and he denied each allegation.

At the arraignment, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation formally took over the prosecution from the police, with Oyedepo announcing the decision before the court. After his plea, Justice Umar ordered Adeyemi’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned proceedings until October 12 for consideration of his bail application and the substantive case.

His arraignment came more than two months after the Federal High Court issued a warrant for his arrest on July 14, 2026, following his failure to appear for scheduled proceedings.

ICPC and forgery allegations

The criminal proceedings stem from allegations that Adeyemi operated the PFIPC as a government agency without presidential authorisation, a claim he has repeatedly disputed.

The controversy intensified after Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s denial of the agency’s existence, accusing the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of making inconsistent statements about the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).

In July, Adeyemi claimed he borrowed N400 million to facilitate his appointment as the council’s Director-General, alleging that payments were made through intermediaries and that additional funds were demanded. He also cited references to the PFIPC and PEAC in the 2026 Appropriation Act to question the government’s position that the council was fictitious. His allegations against presidential officials have not been substantiated.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the purported agency, including allegations of forged appointment documents and possible involvement of public officials. In August, the ICPC reported that its investigation found no legal basis for the PFIPC’s establishment and concluded that the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged. Despite the findings, Adeyemi has maintained that the agency was legitimate and denied wrongdoing.