FG Dumps Forgery Case Against Alleged Fake Investment Council, Adeyemi

By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count forgery charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly paraded himself as the Director-General of a purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after the Federal Government withdrew the case.

Justice Mohammed Umar terminated proceedings on Monday following an application by the government, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

The withdrawal came after the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) reviewed the case and identified issues that prompted a decision to discontinue the prosecution before the Federal High Court. Although the police initially filed the charges, the AGF’s office had taken over the matter at the previous court sitting.

Addressing the court, Oyedepo said the government intended to transfer the case to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where Adeyemi would be arraigned afresh. He explained that the alleged forged documents involved in the case could be prosecuted before the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.

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The prosecution’s request to strike out the charge was not opposed by Adeyemi’s lawyer, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, paving the way for the court to bring the proceedings to an end. However, the development does not amount to an acquittal on the allegations, as the government said it planned to pursue the matter in another court.

Adeyemi has been in detention since July 14, when he was arrested following a bench warrant issued by the court. He had been arraigned on allegations involving forgery, fraud and impersonation, but pleaded not guilty to the charges before being remanded at Kuje Prison.

Before the charge was withdrawn, Adeyemi had asked the court to grant him bail, arguing that he was suffering from a contagious illness that required urgent medical attention from his doctors. The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that government facilities were available to cater for his medical needs.

The court had scheduled proceedings on the bail application, but the government's decision to withdraw the charge effectively halted that process. It remains unclear from the proceedings when the proposed fresh arraignment at the FCT High Court will take place.

Among those earlier listed as potential witnesses were the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel; Jeremiah Imoukhede; and Ituah Sylvester. Other proposed witnesses included civil servants Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, who work in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The next stage of the case will depend on the Federal Government’s planned action at the FCT High Court, where the allegations against Adeyemi could be considered afresh.