The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). The arrest followed a bench warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja after he failed to appear for arraignment over alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warrant on Tuesday after Adeyemi failed to appear before the court to take his plea in the criminal case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025.
Court issues bench warrant
Justice Umar granted an oral application filed by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki. The application followed Adeyemi’s failure to appear when the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday.
Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, opposed the application. He argued that his client stayed away because he feared for his life and had already written to President Bola Tinubu over the alleged threats.
According to the lawyer, Adeyemi wanted to remain alive so he could defend himself before the court.
Responding to the submission, Justice Umar said:
“The court will help him be alive.”
The judge then issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest. He also adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for the defendant’s arraignment.
Police track suspect to Osun
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed Adeyemi’s arrest shortly after the court proceedings.
The Personal Assistant to the Force Public Relations Officer, Aminu Koji, said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) arrested Adeyemi in Osun State.
“We have just confirmed the arrest of Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi by a team of the Intelligence Response Team in Osun State. Thank you.”
A video later circulated by TVC News showed Adeyemi in police custody.
Sources familiar with the operation said security operatives monitored Adeyemi’s movements for more than a week. Officers from the Department of State Services initially tracked him before police operatives took over the operation.
The Intelligence Response Team, led by CSP Moses Lohor, continued the surveillance and eventually traced the suspect.
The sources added that Adeyemi switched off his mobile phones for about two days. That made it more difficult for security agencies to track his location.
Police eventually arrested him in Osun State on Tuesday morning. They later moved him through Ibadan before taking him to Abuja.
Charges against Adeyemi
Police filed the eight-count charge on November 27, 2025.
The prosecution accused Adeyemi and two other suspects, identified simply as Femi and Anu, of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Investigators alleged that the defendants forged several official documents. These include a presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads, approval documents for the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, office allocation requests and official correspondence with government agencies.
One of the charges alleges that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter dated March 8, 2024. Investigators said the document falsely carried the signature of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and appointed Adeyemi as Director-General of the council.
Police also accused him of presenting himself as the Director-General of the alleged agency between 2024 and 2025.
If convicted, Adeyemi could face up to 21 years in prison on the forgery charges. The law does not provide the option of a fine. The impersonation charge also carries a prison term or a fine upon conviction.
Adeyemi insists his life is in danger
Before his arrest, Adeyemi repeatedly denied reports that he had gone into hiding.
In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and during an interview on Channels Television, he claimed that his life was under threat.
According to him, surrendering to security agencies without adequate protection would amount to signing his own death warrant.
He also questioned the Federal Government’s decision to allow the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the controversy. He argued that the agency could not conduct an independent investigation because it operates under the Executive arm of government.
Instead, Adeyemi urged President Tinubu to establish an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations surrounding the disputed agency.
He further claimed that he received credible intelligence suggesting he would be eliminated if he appeared in public without adequate protection. He also referred to the reported death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the matter.
NBA, SAN weigh in
Reacting to the development, Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe (SAN) said President Tinubu’s directive for a fresh ICPC investigation could widen the scope of the case.
According to him, investigators may invite additional persons if the available evidence points in that direction.
“The law does not deal with speculation. As of today, he is the only person charged in court.”
Osigwe also defended the court’s decision to issue a bench warrant after Adeyemi failed to appear.
“If he fails to attend court, the court will be right to make an order for his arrest or revoke his bail if he is already on bail.”
He added that the President’s directive for another investigation could indicate concerns about whether the initial probe covered every aspect of the case.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Sam Erugo, also commented on the matter.
He said investigators should ordinarily question anyone whose name appears during a criminal investigation, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, if necessary.
However, Erugo admitted that such a move would be difficult while Gbajabiamila remains Chief of Staff.
“The right thing should be for the police to invite Gbajabiamila and interrogate him.”
The senior lawyer also criticised Adeyemi’s decision to stay away from court.
“Running away from trial is not the best. Running will not solve his problem.”
What happens next?
With Adeyemi now in police custody, attention has shifted to his expected arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case centres on allegations of forgery, impersonation and the operation of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. The matter will resume on September 30, 2026, when the court expects Adeyemi to take his plea.
