Court Strikes Out FG’s Charges Against ‘Fake’ PFIPC Boss
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged fake Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charge following an application by the prosecution to terminate the proceedings and arraign Adeyemi afresh before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
At Monday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), moved the application on behalf of the Federal Government.
Oyedepo told the court that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had reviewed the case file and the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police and discovered some loopholes.
He explained that the review showed that the documents Adeyemi allegedly forged while operating the purported agency were matters that could be prosecuted by the High Court of the FCT rather than the Federal High Court.
The prosecutor informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the High Court of the FCT and that the defendant would be arraigned there without delay.
He consequently urged Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge in accordance with the law to allow the prosecution to proceed before the appropriate court.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), did not oppose the application.
Following the absence of an objection from the defence, Justice Umar granted the prosecution’s request and struck out the eight-count charge.
Adeyemi had been standing trial alongside two other defendants whose whereabouts were unknown over allegations bordering on conspiracy, impersonation and forgery.
The police had filed the eight-count charge against him in November 2025, alleging that he conspired with two other suspects, identified as Femi and Anu, whose surnames were not stated and who are still at large.
According to the charges, the alleged offences include the forgery of presidential appointment letters, Presidential letter-headed papers, requests for collaboration with the Ministry of the Area of Land requisition and offices across the 36 states, as well as other documents purportedly emanating from the State House, Abuja.
At the time, the charges were read and explained to Adeyemi, who confirmed that he understood them before entering a not-guilty plea to each count.
Following the plea, Oyedepo told the court that the defendant was due to face trial and requested an order for an accelerated hearing, citing the high level of public interest generated by the case.
The prosecution also asked the court to remand Adeyemi in prison custody pending the conclusion of the trial.
However, Adeyemi’s then counsel, Genesis Francis, opposed the request for continued detention, informing the court that a bail application had already been filed on his client’s behalf on January 12.
He was thereafter remanded in Kuje Correctional facility following his plea.
