Court declares alleged fake PFIPC DG wanted, orders Adeyemi’s arrest

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment on an eight-count criminal charge, despite the presence of his lawyer.

The order followed an oral application by police counsel, Wisdom Madaki, who told the court that the defendant had repeatedly frustrated the proceedings by failing to appear for trial.

According to the prosecution, Tuesday’s hearing was the fifth scheduled for the case, with all previous adjournments granted at Adeyemi’s instance.

Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the prosecution urged the court to compel the defendant’s appearance through a warrant of arrest.

Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, opposed the application, arguing that his client’s absence was due to credible threats to his life.

He maintained that Adeyemi had attended an earlier court session and had since withdrawn from public view because of security concerns.

However, Justice Umar held that the defendant had appeared in court only once since the charge was filed on November 27, 2025, and had failed to honour four consecutive hearing dates thereafter.

The judge consequently directed security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court for arraignment on September 30, 2026.

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 were launched following a petition from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alleging that forged appointment letters bearing fake signatures, official seals, reference numbers and the Nigerian Coat of Arms were being used to create the impression that the PFIPC was a legitimate federal government agency.

Investigators alleged that Adeyemi presented himself as Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja while issuing appointments into the purported agency.

Among the witnesses expected to testify in the trial are Gbajabiamila, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, police officers and other individuals linked to the investigation.

In a recent television interview, Adeyemi denied going into hiding, insisting he withdrew from public view because of alleged threats to his life. He also denied that the PFIPC was fictitious and renewed his call for an independent panel to investigate the controversy surrounding the council, saying he was prepared to provide documentary evidence in his defence.