A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who describes himself as the Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued a bench warrant on Tuesday following an oral application by the prosecution after the defendant was absent when the case was called.
Adeyemi is expected to answer an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force over his alleged role in operating the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has maintained does not exist.
When the prosecution, led by Wisdom Madaki, requested a bench warrant, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, told the court that his client was staying away because he feared for his safety and had written to President Bola Tinubu.
According to the lawyer, his client wanted to remain alive to face trial.
Responding, Justice Umar said, “The court will help him be alive,” before directing security agencies to arrest the defendant.
The matter was adjourned until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
Court documents show that the Federal Government, through the police, filed the charges on November 27, 2025, accusing Adeyemi alongside two other suspects, identified only as Femi and Anu, who remain at large, of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants forged several official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads, approval documents for the establishment of the alleged council, requests for staff accounts, applications for office accommodation and letters seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
One of the charges alleged that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, indicating that he had been appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
The police also accused him of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
If found guilty of the forgery charges, Adeyemi could face up to 21 years in prison, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.
The court appearance came a day after Adeyemi denied reports that he was evading security agencies during an interview on Channels Television.
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.”
Adeyemi also repeated his claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council, adding that some of the individuals who financed the payment had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Police investigations into the matter reportedly began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the circulation of alleged forged appointment letters bearing fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms.
Investigators also alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja while presenting himself as the head of the council.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi has continued to insist that the council is legitimate. In an open letter to President Tinubu, he called for an independent panel comprising civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association, the media, anti-corruption agencies, diplomatic missions and international organisations to investigate the controversy.
He also pledged to submit documentary evidence and cooperate fully with any independent investigation, maintaining that concerns over his safety influenced his decision to remain out of the public eye.
