By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has been arrested after he failed to appear for his arraignment on charges of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday following an oral application by the prosecution after the defendant was absent when the case was called.
Adeyemi was expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force over his alleged operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has maintained does not exist.
The judge dismissed the explanation offered by Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, who told the court that his client feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu, insisting he wanted to remain alive to face trial.
Responding, Justice Umar said, “The court will help him be alive,” before directing security agencies to arrest the defendant. The case was adjourned until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The Federal Government, through the police, had filed the charges on November 27, 2025, accusing Adeyemi and two other suspects, identified only as Femi and Anu, who remain at large, of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly forged several official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads, documents approving the establishment of the PFIPC, requests for staff account approvals, office space applications and correspondence seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
The prosecution further alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent agency, contrary to the provisions of the Penal Code.
If convicted on the forgery charges, Adeyemi faces up to 21 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge attracts a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.
His absence from court came barely a day after he appeared on Channels Television, where he denied reports that he was in hiding.
Adeyemi claimed he feared for his safety, alleging there had been several attempts on his life. He also repeated his allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the disputed appointment, adding that those who lent him the money had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Police investigations into the alleged PFIPC scandal reportedly began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the Presidency.
Investigators alleged that the forged documents bore fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms and were used to give legitimacy to the purported agency. They also alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, while presenting himself as the Director-General of the council.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi has continued to insist that the PFIPC is a legitimate organisation and has called on President Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel to probe the controversy surrounding the agency and its reported ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
He has also pledged to provide documentary evidence and cooperate fully with investigators if such a panel is established.