The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), on 22 counts of alleged forgery and impersonation.
Adeyemi was arraigned on Thursday before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court following the filing of fresh charges against him.
The development comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja struck out an earlier eight-count charge on October 12.
The earlier case was withdrawn after the Federal Government sought to discontinue the proceedings following a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).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 alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court, where the police initially filed the charges.
The prosecution subsequently confirmed that a fresh charge had been filed before the FCT High Court.
### ICPC details alleged PFIPC forgery offences
In the fresh 22-count charge, the ICPC accused Adeyemi of forging a letter dated March 8, 2024, purportedly signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, appointing him director-general of the PFIPC.
The commission alleged that Adeyemi used forged documents to portray the non-existent agency as a legitimate government institution and gain access to government facilities and official processes.
Other allegations include forging an executive order purportedly establishing the agency and a legislative instrument bearing the titles of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and PFIPC.
The ICPC also accused him of forging a document addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation, seeking approval for the purported agency to operate within the government’s financial reporting structure.
Another count relates to documents allegedly submitted to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to obtain a domain name for the agency.
### Alleged ₦27bn funding, N3.8bn personnel costs
The commission further alleged that Adeyemi obtained more than ₦27 billion to establish the purported agency and ₦3.8 billion for personnel costs through forged documents presented to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
He was also accused 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.
In another allegation, Adeyemi reportedly gave ₦300,000 to Ogaba Harry, an officer in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, to facilitate the release of two government vehicles: a Toyota Prado sport utility vehicle and a Land Cruiser.
The ICPC also accused him of obtaining ₦20 million from Oyekunle Gbenga, managing director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, under the pretence of a project facilitation loan.
The money was allegedly linked to a purported ₦2.8 billion contract for furnishing and renovating 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 previously claimed that Gbajabiamila collected ₦400 million through a proxy in connection with his appointment letter to the purported agency.
### Adeyemi seeks bail after 155 days in detention
Following his arraignment, Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to all 22 counts.
Fatima Bardi, counsel to the ICPC, subsequently asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
However, Ibrahim Angulu, counsel to Adeyemi, made an oral application for bail.
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 received treatment at a police clinic, adding that he had a medical report to support the claim.
The judge adjourned the case until November 9 for trial and possible hearing of the bail application.
