The self-acclaimed Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested by security operatives shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest over allegations bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Adeyemi was reportedly apprehended on Tuesday afternoon, moments after Justice Mohammed Umar granted an application by the prosecution and issued a bench warrant following his failure to appear before the court for his scheduled arraignment.
He is facing an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, which accuses him of offences including alleged forgery of official government documents, impersonation and obtaining benefits under false pretences.
He is facing an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, which accuses him of offences including alleged forgery of official government documents, impersonation and obtaining benefits under false pretences.
According to the prosecution, Adeyemi had repeatedly failed to honour court proceedings, prompting the application for his arrest.
The PFIPC, which Adeyemi claimed to head as Director-General, has since been declared a fictitious organisation by the Presidency.
The PFIPC, which Adeyemi claimed to head as Director-General, has since been declared a fictitious organisation by the Presidency.
The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President had earlier warned the public that no such agency exists under the Federal Government and advised diplomatic missions, financial institutions and development partners to disregard any representations made in its name.
The controversy surrounding the fake agency has attracted widespread public attention after it emerged that forged documents allegedly bearing official government insignia and signatures were used to present the council as a legitimate federal institution.
The controversy surrounding the fake agency has attracted widespread public attention after it emerged that forged documents allegedly bearing official government insignia and signatures were used to present the council as a legitimate federal institution.
Authorities also alleged that the suspect falsely claimed presidential backing and sought official recognition from various institutions.
In response to the scandal, President Bola Tinubu last week directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported council and identify all individuals who may have facilitated its operations.
The arrest is expected to pave the way for Adeyemi’s arraignment as investigators continue efforts to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraud and determine whether other collaborators were involved.
In response to the scandal, President Bola Tinubu last week directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported council and identify all individuals who may have facilitated its operations.
The arrest is expected to pave the way for Adeyemi’s arraignment as investigators continue efforts to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraud and determine whether other collaborators were involved.
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