Breaking: ‘Fake’ PFIPC DG, Adeyemi arrested, after court issues bench warrant

The self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested by security operatives moments after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Video of the arrest was captured by TVC.

Justice Mohammed Umar had on Tuesday ordered Adeyemi’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment on an eight-count criminal charge, despite being represented by his lawyer.

The arrest followed an oral application by police counsel, Wisdom Madaki, who informed the court that the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear for trial, frustrating the prosecution of the case.

Madaki told the court that Tuesday’s hearing was the fifth scheduled for the matter, with all previous adjournments granted at the instance of the defendant. Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), he urged the court to compel Adeyemi’s appearance through a warrant of arrest.

Although defence counsel, Genesis Francis, opposed the application, arguing that his client stayed away from court because of credible threats to his life, Justice Umar held that Adeyemi had appeared only once since the charges were filed on November 27, 2025, and had failed to honour four consecutive court dates.

The judge consequently directed security agencies to arrest him and produce him before the court for arraignment.

Adeyemi is facing charges bordering on alleged forgery of official documents, fraud and impersonation in connection with the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, which investigators say has no legal backing.

Police investigations began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the office.

Investigators alleged that the forged documents bore fake signatures, official seals, reference numbers and the Nigerian Coat of Arms and were used to create the impression that the PFIPC was a legitimate Federal Government agency.

Adeyemi is also accused of presenting himself as Director-General of the council and operating from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja while issuing appointments into the purported agency.

Among those expected to testify in the case are Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, police officers and other witnesses connected with the investigation.

Before his arrest, Adeyemi had maintained in a television interview that he was not in hiding but had withdrawn from public view because of alleged threats to his life. He also insisted that the PFIPC was not a fictitious organisation and called for an independent investigation into the controversy, saying he was prepared to present documentary evidence in his defence.