BREAKING: Court issues arrest warrant for alleged fake presidential council DG Prince Adeniyi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the self-acclaimed Director-General (DG) of the alleged non-existent Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, over his repeated failure to appear in court.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the order on Tuesday following an oral application by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Wisdom Madaki.

Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025.

Although the matter was listed for arraignment, the defendant failed to appear in court despite being represented by his counsel, Mr. Genesis Francis.

While moving the application, the prosecution informed the court that Adeyemi had consistently failed to appear since the case commenced.

“My Lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” Madaki told the court.

Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.

Opposing the application, the defence counsel argued that Adeyemi stayed away from court because of alleged threats to his life.

He told the court that his client had attended the previous sitting on May 16 but had since become fearful following heightened public attention on the case.

“The defendant is afraid for his life. He has to be alive to face trial. They have been looking for him even without an order of court,” the lawyer submitted.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Umar held that the application was meritorious, noting that the defendant had appeared before the court only once since the charge was filed on November 27, 2025.

The judge observed that Adeyemi had failed to appear on four consecutive hearing dates without sufficient justification.

He subsequently issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to arrest the defendant and produce him before the court on September 30 for arraignment.

Among those expected to testify in the case are the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, officials of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Adeyemi had earlier told Channels Television that he was not hiding from law enforcement agencies but had gone into seclusion because of alleged threats to his life.

“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 said.

He also maintained his allegation that he paid N400 million through a proxy to President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council.

According to Adeyemi, the individuals from whom he borrowed the money later reported him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Police investigations alleged that Adeyemi forged appointment letters and other official documents to portray the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council as a legitimate federal government agency.

The investigation reportedly began after the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the Presidency.

Investigators alleged that the forged documents contained fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms and were used to appoint individuals into the alleged non-existent council.

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.

Meanwhile, Adeyemi has continued to deny the allegations, insisting that the PFIPC exists and calling for an independent investigation into the alleged N1.3 billion budget insertion for the council in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

He also requested that representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, international bodies and the media be included in the proposed investigative panel.

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