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 on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar made the order on Tuesday after granting an oral application by the prosecution, led by Wisdom Madaki, following Adeyemi’s absence when the case was called.
The defendant was expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with his alleged operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has repeatedly maintained does not exist.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, has witnessed several adjournments before Tuesday’s proceedings.
Adeyemi Faces Forgery, Impersonation Charges
During the hearing, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, informed the court that his client did not appear because he feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu over his security concerns.
According to the defence counsel, Adeyemi intended to remain alive to face trial.
Responding, Justice Umar remarked, “The court will help him be alive,” before ordering that a bench warrant be issued for the defendant’s arrest.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Police Force, filed the charges on November 27, 2025, accusing Adeyemi alongside two other suspects identified simply as Femi and Anu, who remain at large, of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly forged several official government 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, office space applications and letters seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
The prosecution further alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council in violation of Section 179 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, Adeyemi faces up to 21 years imprisonment without the option of a fine on the forgery-related charges, while the impersonation count carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment or a fine.
Tuesday’s bench warrant came barely 24 hours after Adeyemi publicly denied reports that he had gone into hiding.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he insisted he was willing to face the authorities but claimed there were credible threats to his life.
“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,” he said, alleging there had been several attempts on his life.
Adeyemi also repeated his earlier claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council, adding that individuals from whom he borrowed the money had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Police 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 the circulation of forged presidential appointment letters.
Investigators alleged that the forged documents bore fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms to create the impression that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was a legitimate Federal Government agency. They also claimed Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, while presenting himself as the council’s Director-General.
Investigators further linked the alleged scheme to the late Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly died in a hotel fire in Abuja.
Despite the criminal charges and the Presidency’s position that the PFIPC is non-existent, Adeyemi has continued to insist that the council is legitimate. In a recent open letter to President Tinubu, he called for an independent multi-stakeholder panel to investigate the controversy surrounding the agency, including its reported ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act, promising to provide documentary evidence and cooperate fully if such an investigation is established.
