Court Remands Adeniyi Accused of Creating Fake Presidential Agency PFIPC in Kuje Prison
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the 38-year-old man accused of creating and operating a purported government agency, at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Mohammed Umar (Justice) made the order on Wednesday after Adeyemi finally appeared before the court for arraignment, following several unsuccessful attempts to bring him before the court.
Adeyemi was led into the courtroom at about 2:33 p.m. by a female police officer attached to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
When the eight charges were eventually read to him, Adeyemi confirmed that he understood them before pleading “not guilty” to each of the counts.
The charges relate to allegations that he created and operated a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), presenting himself as the organisation’s Director-General and using documents allegedly forged to give the impression that the council had been established or recognised by the Presidency.
Following his plea, Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), who has taken over the prosecution from the Nigeria Police Force, urged the court to order an accelerated hearing of the case because of the high level of public interest.
Oyedepo also asked the court to remand Adeyemi in prison custody pending the conclusion of the trial.
Genesis Francis, Adeyemi’s lawyer, however, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on January 12 and served on the prosecution, which had responded to it.
Francis urged the court to hear the application, but Justice Umar said it would be considered at the next hearing.
The defence counsel also told the court that Adeyemi was under medical care and had a medical appointment scheduled for Friday.
Oyedepo assured the court that the defence team would have access to Adeyemi in custody and that he would receive appropriate care.
“He will be well taken care of,” the prosecutor told the court.
Francis nevertheless maintained that his client was suffering from a communicable illness but did not disclose the nature of the ailment.
After hearing both sides, Umar ordered that Adeyemi be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
The judge adjourned the case until October 12 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
The case was originally filed by the police in November 2025 against Adeyemi and two other suspects, identified as Femi and Anu, who are said to be at large.
The defendants are accused of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation in connection with the purported PFIPC.
In counts one, two, three, four, six, seven and eight, the prosecution alleged that Adeyemi and his alleged accomplices conspired to forge several official documents.
The documents allegedly included a purported presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads and a conveyance approval for the take-off of the purported PFIPC.
The prosecution also accused them of forging requests for approval of staff accounts and office accommodation, as well as letters seeking collaboration between the purported council and a federal ministry.
In count five, Adeyemi was accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of PFIPC, an offence the prosecution said is punishable under Section 179 of the Penal Code.
Adeyemi has denied all the allegations.
The prosecution has proposed 11 witnesses for the trial. They include Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu; civil servants; a police officer; officials posted to work with Adeyemi; the proprietor of a hotel; and a pastor.
According to the police investigation, Adeyemi allegedly gained access to government institutions and processes by presenting documents purporting to establish that the PFIPC was a legitimate government organisation.
Investigators said they recovered correspondence between the purported agency and several ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
The police also said they traced 34 bank accounts allegedly linked to the operation, including nine accounts opened in the names of purported government agencies.
The allegations followed a petition by Gbajabiamila to the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services concerning alleged forgery and impersonation linked to the purported council and Adeyemi’s claim to be its Director-General.
The police subsequently launched an investigation and arrested Adeyemi at his office at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja on October 27, 2025.
He spent 23 days in police custody before he was granted administrative bail on November 19, 2025, reportedly on health grounds.
The police filed the eight-count charge on November 27, 2025.
Adeyemi’s formal arraignment was delayed for several months after the charge was filed
He was initially scheduled to be arraigned on February 3, but the proceeding could not go ahead after his lawyer requested more time, arguing that the defence had only recently been served with the charges.
Umar subsequently adjourned the case until February 11.
The court did not sit on that date, and April 14 was later communicated as a fresh date.
Adeyemi was absent from court on April 14. His lawyer presented a letter indicating that he was ill and sought an adjournment.
The prosecution opposed the request, and the court moved the matter to June 16.
Adeyemi appeared on June 16, but his lawyer again informed the court that he was unwell and unable to proceed with the arraignment.
Umar subsequently fixed July 14 for the defendant’s arraignment.
When the case was called on July 14, however, the prosecution told the court that it did not know Adeyemi’s whereabouts.
His lawyer confirmed that his client was unavailable and said the defence had tried to reach him.
Francis told the court that Adeyemi feared for his life and had written an open letter to Tinubu because he wanted to remain alive to face the trial.
The prosecution subsequently made an oral application for a warrant for his arrest.
Umar granted the application and issued a bench warrant.
Adeyemi was arrested less than 12 hours after the warrant was issued.
According to the police, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja traced him to a hideout in Osun State, where he was arrested.
The arrest was confirmed by Anietie Iniedu, Police Spokesperson.
Adeyemi was subsequently returned to police custody, where he remained until his arraignment on Wednesday.
His appearance before the Federal High Court finally enabled the prosecution to formally read the charges to him and obtain his plea after months of delays.
The court set October 12, for Adeyemi’s trial.
