A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after he failed to appear for his arraignment on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday after granting an oral application by the prosecution, following the defendant’s absence when the case was called.
Adeyemi was scheduled to take his plea on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force over his alleged operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has repeatedly insisted does not exist.
The criminal case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, has suffered several adjournments.
During proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, urged the court to issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest after he failed to appear.
Responding, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, informed the court that his client feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu over alleged threats to his safety.
According to the defence counsel, Adeyemi intended to remain alive so he could stand trial.
Justice Umar, however, dismissed the explanation.
“The court will help him be alive,” the judge said before ordering that a bench warrant be issued for Adeyemi’s arrest.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Police Force, instituted the charges on November 27, 2025, accusing Adeyemi and 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 documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads, approval documents for the establishment of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, staff account requests, office allocation applications and official correspondence seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
One of the charges alleged that the defendants forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
“That you Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew ‘M’ 38 years of 2nd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex Abuja, Femi, surname unknown and Anu, surname unknown, now at large, on or about 8th day of March, 2024 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court forged appointment letter purported to have been appointed by his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President Federal Republic of Nigeria, and signed by Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2)(c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” the charge reads.
The prosecution further accused Adeyemi of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the alleged council.
Another count states:
“That you, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew ‘M’ 38 years of 2nd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex Abuja, Femi surname unknown and Anu surname unknown now at large, sometime between 2024 and 2025 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court falsely personates as the Director General of Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 179 of the Penal Code.”
If convicted on the forgery-related charges, Adeyemi faces up to 21 years imprisonment without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment or a fine.
His absence from court came barely 24 hours after he publicly denied reports that he was evading security agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Adeyemi insisted he was not on the run.
“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.
“There have been several attempts on my life.”
He also reiterated his earlier allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed agency.
According to him, individuals from whom he borrowed the money have since petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the transaction.
Police investigations into the PFIPC controversy reportedly 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 appointment letters allegedly emanating from the Presidency.
Investigators alleged that the documents bore fake signatures, forged reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, and were used to create the impression that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was a legitimate federal agency.
The police also alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, while presenting himself as the council’s Director-General.
The investigation further linked the alleged scheme to Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly died in a hotel fire in Abuja.
Despite the criminal charges, Adeyemi has continued to insist that the PFIPC is a legitimate organisation and has called for an independent probe into the controversy surrounding the agency and its reported ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In an open letter to President Tinubu, he requested the establishment of a multi-stakeholder investigative panel comprising representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, independent media organisations, international financial institutions, human rights groups, diplomatic missions, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the EFCC.
He also pledged to provide documentary evidence and cooperate fully with investigators, maintaining that his decision to remain out of public view was influenced by alleged threats to his life and the controversial death of Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the matter.
