The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged head of a purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over 22 counts of alleged forgery and impersonation.
The commission accused Adeyemi of forging official documents, including an appointment letter purportedly issued by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appointing him as the director-general of the PFIPC.
According to the ICPC, the alleged offence occurred on or about March 8, 2024, in Abuja, when Adeyemi allegedly forged a letter with reference number SH/COS/209/A/3456, purportedly signed or issued by Gbajabiamila.
The prosecution said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code, Cap. 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990.
The commission further alleged that Adeyemi presented the forged document to secure government recognition and legitimacy for the purported agency and facilitate his alleged fraudulent activities.
At the court proceedings, ICPC counsel, Fatima Bardi, urged the court to fix a date for the prosecution to open its case against the defendant.
However, defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), made an oral application for his client’s bail.
Presiding judge, Justice Halilu Yusuf, directed the defence to file a formal written bail application.
Angulu agreed to the directive but informed the court that Adeyemi had spent 155 days in detention and was experiencing some health challenges.
He added that he had obtained a medical report from the police clinic where his client had been receiving treatment.
Justice Yusuf subsequently adjourned the matter until November 9 for trial and possible consideration of the defendant’s bail application.
The arraignment comes about two weeks after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja struck out an eight-count criminal charge earlier filed against Adeyemi by the Federal Government.
The judge struck out the case following an application by the Federal Government, which informed the court that the defendant would be transferred to the FCT High Court for a fresh arraignment.
Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State on July 14 after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his arrest for allegedly failing to honour the court’s summons.
He is accused of masterminding the establishment of a purported PFIPC, which allegedly operated as a government agency, maintained office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and recruited staff without legal authorisation.
In a separate allegation, Adeyemi had claimed that Gbajabiamila paid ₦400 million through a proxy to facilitate his appointment as head of the purported agency. Gbajabiamila has denied the allegation.
Following the controversy, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the activities of the purported council.
While submitting an interim investigation report to the President, ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, said preliminary findings indicated that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government.
Aliyu further disclosed that the purported appointment letter, gazette and other documents allegedly used to establish the council were forged.
