The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, alleged director-general of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), on 22 counts of forgery and impersonation before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
The fresh arraignment took place on Thursday following the striking out of an earlier eight-count charge against Adeyemi by the Federal High Court in Abuja on 12 October.
The earlier charge was withdrawn after the Federal Government sought to terminate the proceedings following a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, had informed the court that the review found that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court, where the police had initially filed the charge.
The prosecution subsequently confirmed that a fresh charge had been filed before the FCT High Court.
Allegations of Forgery and Impersonation
In the fresh charge, the ICPC accused Adeyemi of forging a letter dated 8 March 2024, purportedly signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, appointing him director-general of the PFIPC.
The commission alleged that Adeyemi used forged documents to present the purported agency as a legitimate government institution and gain access to government facilities and administrative processes.
The charges also include allegations that he forged an executive order purportedly establishing the agency and a legislative instrument bearing the titles of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the PFIPC.
The ICPC further accused him of forging a document addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation, seeking approval for the agency to operate within the government’s financial reporting structure.
Another allegation concerns documents purportedly sent to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to obtain a domain name for the organisation.
The commission also alleged that Adeyemi sought to obtain more than ₦27 billion for establishing the purported agency and ₦3.8 billion for personnel costs by presenting forged documents to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
In separate counts, the ICPC accused him of offering ₦210,000 to Aminu Abdullahi, an assistant chief technical officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to facilitate the allocation of office space without official authorisation.
He was also accused of giving ₦300,000 to Ogaba Harry, an officer in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, to facilitate the release of two official vehicles—a Prado sport utility vehicle and a Land Cruiser.
Another count alleges that Adeyemi obtained ₦20 million from Oyekunle Gbenga, Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, under the pretence of a project facilitation loan for a purported ₦2.8 billion contract to furnish and renovate the official residence of the PFIPC director-general.
The alleged offences, said to have occurred between 2024 and 2026, are punishable under provisions of the Penal Code, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
Adeyemi has denied the allegations. He has also claimed that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy in connection with his appointment letter to the purported agency.
Court Directs Adeyemi to File Bail Application
Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to all 22 counts after the charges were read to him.
Following his plea, Fatima Bardi, counsel for the ICPC, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.
However, Ibrahim Angulu, counsel for Adeyemi, made an oral application for bail.
The presiding judge, Halilu Yusuf, directed the defence counsel to file a formal written application.
Angulu accepted the directive but requested an early hearing, citing his client’s prolonged detention and health concerns.
He told the court that Adeyemi had spent 155 days in detention and had a medical report from the police clinic where he had received treatment.
The judge adjourned the case until 9 November for trial and possible consideration of the bail application.
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