A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for his arraignment on charges of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar made the order on Tuesday after granting an oral application by the prosecution following Adeyemi’s absence when the case was called.
Adeyemi was scheduled 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 case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, has been adjourned several times.
During proceedings, prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki, urged the court to issue a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest. However, Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, told the court that his client failed to appear because he feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu.
According to the lawyer, Adeyemi wanted to remain alive to stand trial.
Responding, Justice Umar said, “The court will help him be alive,” before ordering that a bench warrant be issued for his arrest.
The judge adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The Federal Government, through the police, filed the charges on November 27, 2025, accusing Adeyemi and two other suspects identified simply as Femi and Anu, who are currently 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, approval documents for the establishment of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, requests for staff account approvals, applications for office accommodation and correspondence seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
The prosecution also alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council, contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.
If convicted on the forgery-related charges, Adeyemi faces up to 21 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.
Adeyemi’s absence from court came a day after he denied reports that he was evading security agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he said he was not in hiding but feared for his safety.
“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger. There have been several attempts on my life,” he said.
He also repeated his allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council.
According to him, individuals from whom he borrowed the money have since petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the transaction.
The police had earlier disclosed that investigations into the alleged PFIPC scandal 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 documents bore fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, creating the impression that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was a legitimate Federal Government agency.
Police further alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, while presenting himself as the council’s Director-General.
The investigation also linked the alleged scheme to Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly died in a hotel fire in Abuja.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi has maintained that the PFIPC is a legitimate organisation and has called for an independent investigation into the controversy, including the reported ₦1.3 billionallocation to the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, he requested the establishment of a multi-stakeholder investigative panel comprising representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, independent media organisations, international financial institutions, human rights groups, diplomatic missions, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the EFCC.
He also pledged to provide documentary evidence and cooperate fully with investigators, insisting that his decision to stay out of the public eye was informed by alleged threats to his life and the controversial death of Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the matter.
