Police authorities have arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Okokon Iniedu, confirmed the arrest in a brief message on Tuesday, saying Adeyemi was apprehended in Osun State.
“We have just confirmed the arrest of Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi by a team of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Osun State. Thank you,” Iniedu said in the message obtained by Channels Television.
A video accompanying the statement showed police operatives questioning Adeyemi shortly after his arrest.
The police have yet to disclose further details surrounding the operation. However, the arrest comes days after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant against Adeyemi for failing to appear for his scheduled arraignment.
Justice Umar granted the order following an oral application by police counsel, Wisdom Madaki, directing security agencies to arrest and produce the defendant before the court on September 30.
Adeyemi is expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud, and impersonation.
According to the charge, he allegedly forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He is also accused of forging presidential letterheaded documents dated March 8, 2024, including a request for collaboration with the Ministry of the Area of Land Requisition and offices across the 36 states of the federation, allegedly issued from the State House in Abuja.
The Federal Government further alleges that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council and forged requests for office accommodation purportedly issued by the State House.
Before his arrest, Adeyemi publicly identified himself as the head of the council, with photographs of him alongside prominent Nigerians widely circulated on social media.
He also claimed to have paid Gbajabiamila to secure the appointment. The Presidency, however, strongly denied the allegation and maintained that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council does not exist.
Despite the denial, Adeyemi insisted the council was legitimate, arguing that it would not have appeared in the 2026 budget if it were non-existent. Amid the controversy, he also alleged that his life was under threat and said he was prepared to defend himself in court.
“Let the court take its course. Since my lawyers are involved, everybody will follow us. They will monitor the whole thing. Then let the court of competent jurisdiction do what they need to,” he said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Following the controversy, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
