The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the contentious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, in Osun just hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Speaking in an interview with the press on Tuesday, the Osun Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, told our correspondent that Adeniyi was apprehended at his hideout in Osun by the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja. He is expected to be moved to Abuja later today.
“Yes, it is confirmed. The Intelligence Response Team from Abuja arrested him here in Osun,” Ojelabi said.
A video showed the arrest of Adeyemi, who was wearing a light blue traditional outfit and surrounded by security personnel.
In the video, he looked grave and noticeably worried while answering questions from the officers.
When requested to state his identity, Adeyemi first chose not to provide a clear answer.
“I’ve mentioned it, sir,” he said.
The officers stressed that he state his name again.
“Mention it for us, please. What is your name? What is your name?” one of the officers asked.
Adeyemi replied, “I’ve said it several times.”
He was apprehended just hours after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja mandated his arrest due to his nonappearance for arraignment concerning alleged conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
Chronicle NG reports that the judge approved an oral request from the prosecution after Adeyemi did not show up in court to enter his plea regarding an eight-count charge brought by the Nigeria Police Force.
The prosecution claimed that Adeyemi ran the supposed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an entity the presidency insists is nonexistent.
Justice Umar, in ruling on the prosecution’s request, rejected claims made by Adeyemi’s attorney that his client avoided attendance due to concerns for his safety.
The court stated that the defendant must appear and confront the trial.
The judge then adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
Adeyemi’s arrest occurs just one day after he openly rejected claims that he was dodging security officials.
While speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he affirmed that he was not concealing himself.
“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 reiterated his claim of having paid ₦400 million via a middleman to obtain his position as director-general of the contentious council and demanded an impartial inquiry into the issue.
The police charged Adeyemi with forging multiple official documents, including a supposed presidential appointment letter claimed to be signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, along with other government papers used to portray the council as a legitimate federal entity.
Investigators claimed that Adeyemi misrepresented himself as the Director-General of the council and worked from an office located in the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
If found guilty of the forgery charges, he could receive a prison sentence of up to 21 years with no possibility of a fine, while the impersonation charge has a maximum penalty of three years in jail or a fine.
