A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the prosecution’s oral request for a bench warrant on Tuesday after Adeyemi was absent when the case was called.
Adeyemi was expected to enter his plea to an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, which accused him of operating the alleged PFIPC—an organisation the Presidency has repeatedly stated does not exist.
The matter, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, has been adjourned several times.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Wisdom Madaki urged the court to order Adeyemi’s arrest. However, defence lawyer Genesis Francis argued that his client stayed away because he feared for his life and had already written to President Bola Tinubu about the alleged threats.
According to Francis, Adeyemi wanted to remain alive so he could defend himself in court.
Reacting, Justice Umar said, “The court will help him be alive,” before directing security agencies to arrest the defendant.
The case was subsequently adjourned until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The criminal charges, filed on November 27, 2025, also name two other suspects identified only as Femi and Anu, who are currently at large.
Police alleged that the trio forged several government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter, official State House letterheads, documents approving the establishment of the PFIPC, staff account requests, office space applications and letters seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
According to Count Two of the charge, the defendants allegedly forged an appointment letter claiming Adeyemi had been appointed by President Bola Tinubu and signed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, an offence punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
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The police also accused Adeyemi of falsely presenting himself as Director-General of the alleged council, contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.
Prosecutors said a conviction on the forgery charges could attract a prison term of up to 21 years without the option of a fine, while the impersonation count carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.
Adeyemi’s failure to appear in court came a day after he denied reports that he had gone into hiding.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he said:
“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 repeated his claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the disputed appointment, alleging that those who lent him the money have now petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over repayment.
Earlier investigations by the police were launched after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over allegedly forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the Presidency.
Investigators claimed the documents carried fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, giving the impression that the PFIPC was an official government agency.
Police further 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 also reportedly linked the alleged operation to Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who died in a hotel fire in Abuja.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi has continued to insist that the PFIPC is a legitimate organisation and has called for an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the council and its reported ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In an open letter to President Tinubu, he requested the establishment of an investigative panel made up of civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association, independent media organisations, international financial institutions, human rights organisations, diplomatic missions, the ICPC and the EFCC.
He also pledged to submit documentary evidence and cooperate with any inquiry, maintaining that his decision to stay away from public view was due to alleged threats to his life and the controversial death of Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the matter.