Police have arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-imposed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), following a bench warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja over his failure to appear for arraignment on forgery and impersonation charges.
According to Punch Newspapers, Adeyemi was arrested on Tuesday in Osun State by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team after reportedly evading security agencies for days.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Adeyemi’s arrest after he failed to appear in court to answer an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. The judge adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The Force Public Relations Officer’s office confirmed the arrest, stating that Adeyemi was apprehended in Osun and taken to Abuja.
Punch reported that before his arrest, Adeyemi had allegedly switched off his mobile phones for about two days while being tracked by security operatives. Sources said officers from the Department of State Services initially monitored him before the police Intelligence Response Team, led by CSP Moses Lohor, completed the operation.
The Federal Government accuses Adeyemi and two other suspects, who remain at large, of forging official documents linked to the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has repeatedly stated does not exist.
Prosecutors alleged the suspects forged a presidential appointment letter, State House documents, approval letters and other official correspondence while falsely presenting Adeyemi as the council’s Director-General.
A day before his arrest, Adeyemi had written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, claiming his life was under threat and insisting he could not surrender to security agencies without guarantees for his safety. He also called for an independent panel to investigate the controversy rather than relying solely on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Nigerian Bar Association President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the President’s directive for a fresh ICPC investigation could broaden the probe if evidence implicates additional individuals. He also maintained that the Federal High Court acted within its powers by issuing a bench warrant after the defendant failed to attend court.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Prof. Sam Erugo said investigators should ordinarily question anyone linked to the allegations but acknowledged that political realities could affect such decisions. He also criticised Adeyemi for allegedly avoiding trial, saying the proper course was to defend himself in court.
If convicted, Adeyemi faces up to 21 years’ imprisonment on the forgery-related charges, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.
