A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for his arraignment over allegations of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Drivetvnews gathered that Justice Mohammed Umar gave the order on Tuesday after granting an oral application by the prosecution when the defendant was absent from court. Adeyemi was expected to enter his plea on an eight-count charge brought against him by the Nigeria Police Force over his alleged operation of a government agency the Presidency insists does not exist.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, has been adjourned several times.
During proceedings, prosecution counsel Wisdom Madaki requested a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest. In response, defence lawyer Genesis Francis informed the court that his client stayed away because he feared for his safety and had written to President Bola Tinubu regarding the matter.
Francis said Adeyemi wanted to remain alive to face trial. However, Justice Umar responded that the court would ensure his safety before ordering his arrest and adjourning the case 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 only as Femi and Anu, who remain 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, documents approving the establishment of the alleged PFIPC, requests for staff account approvals, office accommodation applications and correspondence seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
The prosecution further alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council, an offence punishable under the Penal Code.
If convicted on the forgery charges, Adeyemi could face 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.
His failure to appear in court came a day after he publicly denied reports that he was evading security agencies. Speaking during a television interview on Monday, Adeyemi maintained that he was not in hiding but feared for his life, claiming there had been several attempts on his life.
He also repeated his allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the disputed appointment, adding that those who lent him the money had since petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Police investigations into the alleged PFIPC 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 forged documents contained fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, creating the impression that the PFIPC was a legitimate government agency. They also claimed Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in 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 continued to insist that the PFIPC is a legitimate agency. He has called on President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel involving civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, international financial institutions, anti-corruption agencies and other stakeholders to examine the controversy, including the agency’s reported ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
He also pledged to provide documentary evidence and cooperate fully with any independent investigation, maintaining that his limited public appearances were due to security concerns and the controversial death of Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the matter.
