Fake Agency: Court Strikes Out Eight-Count Forgery Charge Against Adeyemi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count forgery charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Justice Mohammed Umar terminated further proceedings in the case on Monday following an application by the Federal Government to withdraw the charge.

The government, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that a review of the case file by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had revealed issues that informed the decision to discontinue the proceedings before the court.

Oyedepo said the government intended to transfer the case to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for a fresh arraignment.

He explained that the alleged forged documents connected to the operation of the purported council could be prosecuted at the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.

The application to strike out the charge was not opposed by Adeyemi’s counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, paving the way for the court to terminate the proceedings.

The charge was initially filed by the police before the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the prosecution at the previous adjourned sitting.

Adeyemi, who has been in detention since July 14 following his arrest on the strength of a bench warrant issued by the court, had been arraigned on allegations bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges, after which the court ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The defendant had also applied for bail, urging the court to consider his alleged medical condition, which he said required urgent attention from his doctors.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the government had adequate medical facilities to address his health needs.

The bail hearing, which had been scheduled to take place, was overtaken by the withdrawal of the charge.

Among those earlier listed as prospective prosecution witnesses were the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel; Jeremiah Imoukhede; and Ituah Sylvester.

Other proposed witnesses included civil servants from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The planned fresh arraignment at the FCT High Court would allow the Federal Government to pursue the allegations before a different court, subject to the filing of the appropriate charges and further judicial proceedings.