OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), on Tuesday, July 14, arrested self-acclaimed director general of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, following a court order to that effect after he failed to appear before it for arraignment in connection with the scandal.
Justice Muhammed Umar of a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest, following an oral application made by the Police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment.
Adeyemi was billed to take his plea on an eight-count charge relating to forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Although the matter was listed as No. 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant failed to appear for his arraignment, even though a lawyer, Genesis Francis, announced his appearance on his behalf.
Shortly after the case was called, the prosecution Counsel noted that the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear for his trial, saying: “My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant.”
Consequently, relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Madaki urged the court to issue a warrant for his arrest, an application that was immediately opposed by Francis, who blamed his client’s absence in court on alleged threats to his life.
Francis drew the court’s attention to the fact that Adeyemi was present for his arraignment on May 16, a date to which he said the case was later adjourned.
After listening to both lawyers, Justice Umar said he was minded to accede to the application for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the defendant, noting that whereas the case was filed on November 27, last year, proceedings did not commence until December 4, last year.
Justice Umar recalled that since the charge was filed, Adeyemi had appeared before the court only once, adding: “Since then, he has failed to appear before this court on four consecutive dates.”
The presiding Judge consequently issued a warrant mandating security agencies to arrest and produce Adeyemi before the court on September 30 for arraignment.
Following the order, the Police initiated moves to apprehend Adeyemi. And that was effected in Osun State, according to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Okokon Iniedu, who added: “We have just confirmed the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi by a team of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Osun State.”
An online video showed Adeyemi being questioned by Police operatives after he was arrested.
Adeyemi, who was scheduled to take his plea, is facing an eight-count charge of felony to wit for allegedly forging an appointment letter purported to have been issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He is also accused of forging Presidential Letter Headed Papers on March 8, 2024; forging a request for collaboration with the Ministry of the Area of Land requisition and offices across the 36 states of the Federation purported to have been issued from the State House Abuja Nigeria; falsely personates as director general of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC); and forging a request for office space, purported to be from the State House.
Count One states: “That you, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, “M,’ 38 years, of 2″d 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, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit forgery and thereby committed an offence punishable under section I (2) (c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
Count Two: “That you, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, M, 38 years, of 2ºd 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, 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 M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
Count Three: “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 Presidential Letter Headed Papers and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) (c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
Count Four: “That you, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, ‘M,’ 38 years, of 2id 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 request for collaboration with the Ministry of the Area of Land requisition and offices across the 36 state of the Federation, purported to have been issued from State House, Abuja, Nigeria, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) (c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
Count Five: “That you, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, ‘M,’ 38 years, of 2d 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.”
Count Six: “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 request for office space, purported to be from State House, Abuja, Nigeria, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) (c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
Count Seven: “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 request for approval of Staff Accounts status, purported to have been issued from State House, Abuja, Nigeria, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) (c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
Count Eight: “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 conveyance approval- Re-Take off Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council- purported to emanates from State House, Abuja, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2) (c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.”
Adeyemi had, during a television interview on Monday, July 13, disclosed that he borrowed N100million to secure PFIPC appointment and that his lenders had even reported him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over repayment.
On July 7, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the PFIPC controversy.
On the source of the funds he used to operate and resources at his disposal, Adeyemi said: “I borrowed this money. In fact, those that I borrowed this N100 million have reported to EFCC.
“I borrowed this money to pay for this appointment. In fact, I can tell you, they have reported to the EFCC, asking me to refund their money. I borrowed this money.”
He dismissed allegations that he falsely claimed to have received an appointment from the United Nations (UN), noting: “It’s all sponsored; it’s a campaign of calumny. They should let us face the facts and documents.
“It is unfortunate that some actors in the government are taking up this matter. It’s unfortunate, and it’s embarrassing.
“Honestly, imagine the government claiming that one man, and called me a con artist, manoeuvred the whole system. It is unfortunate.”
