Court Strikes Out Fake PFIPC DG’s Eight-Count Charge, Fresh Arraignment Planned

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of posing as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following a request by the Federal Government for the case to be terminated.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar struck out the charge on Monday after the prosecution said the defendant would face a fresh arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

At the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, moved an application seeking the termination of the case on behalf of the Federal Government.

Oyedepo told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had reviewed the case file and the charge originally filed by the Inspector-General of Police and identified some legal gaps.

He explained that the alleged forged documents linked to Adeyemi’s operation of the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the FCT rather than the Federal High Court.

The prosecution informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court and that the government intended to arraign Adeyemi there without delay.

Oyedepo consequently urged Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge in accordance with the law.

Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application. The judge subsequently granted the request and terminated the proceedings before the Federal High Court.

Adeyemi, 38, had been standing trial alongside two other defendants, identified only as Femi and Anu, whose whereabouts were reported to be unknown. The charges bordered on alleged conspiracy and forgery.

The case was registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025. The striking out of the charge followed the prosecution’s decision to pursue the allegations before a court it considers to have the appropriate jurisdiction. It does not amount to an acquittal on the allegations, as the government has indicated that a fresh arraignment is planned.