By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment on charges bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the bench warrant on Tuesday following an oral application by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki, who informed the court that Adeyemi was absent despite being slated to take his plea on an eight-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025.
The Nigeria Police charged Adeyemi with offences including conspiracy, forgery, fraud and impersonation in connection with his alleged operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an agency authorities have described as non-existent.
The court fixed September 30 for Adeyemi’s arraignment and directed law enforcement authorities to arrest him and produce him before the court.
The latest court order comes amid an ongoing investigation into the activities of the controversial agency, which allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja using forged government documents and false claims of official recognition. Prosecutors are expected to rely on documentary evidence and witness testimonies to support the charges against the defendant.
The PFIPC controversy has attracted national attention after President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fake agency and submit its findings within 30 days.
The Presidency has maintained that the council was never lawfully established by the Federal Government.
The case is expected to remain in focus as investigators continue efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged operation of the purported agency and identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
