The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following the issuance of a bench warrant by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Adeyemi was apprehended in Osun State by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department/Intelligence Response Team (FID/IRT) after security agencies tracked his location. Police authorities confirmed he was being transported to Abuja to face criminal charges.
According to security sources, the arrest was carried out by a team led by Moses Lohor in a community in Ijesaland after the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly monitored the suspect for several days before the investigation was handed over to the police.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest, stating that Adeyemi was already on his way to Abuja.
Earlier on the same day, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court issued a bench warrant after Adeyemi failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment despite his lawyer being present in court.
The prosecution, represented by Wisdom Madaki, informed the court that the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear for trial, noting that the matter had been adjourned several times at his request.
Related News
Federal Government Suspends Planned WAEC, NECO Registration Fee Increase for 2027
Sam Neill Dies at 78: Jurassic Park Star Passes Away Suddenly in Sydney
INEC Extends Deadline for Submission of Candidates for 2027 Elections
Relying on the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution applied for a warrant of arrest, arguing that Adeyemi had consistently ignored court proceedings.
Although defence counsel Genesis Francis opposed the application, claiming his client feared for his life due to alleged assassination threats, the court ruled that Adeyemi had failed to honour four consecutive court appearances after initially appearing once.
Justice Umar subsequently ordered security agencies to arrest the defendant and produce him before the court on September 30 for arraignment.
Adeyemi is expected to answer an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud, and impersonation.
According to police investigations, the case began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, alleging that forged appointment letters and official government documents were being circulated.
Investigators alleged that forged documents bearing fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals, and the Nigerian Coat of Arms were used to create the impression that the PFIPC was a legitimate Federal Government agency.
Police further alleged that Adeyemi presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, despite the Presidency maintaining that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency.
The investigation also identified Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly died in a hotel fire in Abuja, as one of the individuals allegedly linked to the controversy.
Before his arrest, Adeyemi denied claims that he was hiding from security agencies. During an interview, he insisted he had gone into seclusion because of repeated threats to his life.
He also maintained his controversial allegation that he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment as Director-General, claiming he borrowed the money and had since been reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by those who provided the funds.
Adeyemi further denied that the PFIPC was a non-existent agency and called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel comprising representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organisations, independent media, international financial institutions, human rights groups, diplomatic missions, the EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the controversy.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has renewed his call for President Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow what he described as an independent and transparent investigation into allegations linked to the PFIPC controversy.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku argued that suspending public officials facing serious allegations is consistent with established precedent, citing the suspension of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal under the Buhari administration during an investigation.
The former Vice President said allegations involving public officials should be thoroughly investigated, stressing that accountability must apply equally to everyone regardless of political office.
The Presidency has consistently maintained that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) is not a recognised Federal Government agency, while investigations into the allegations surrounding its activities remain ongoing.
Disclaimer: Comments and opinions on any part of this website are the opinions of blog commenters or anonymous individuals, and do not reflect Strenuous Blog position.