The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State—just hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Adeyemi’s arrest follows his failure to appear in court for arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud, and impersonation.
Justice Muhammed Umar had earlier on Tuesday ordered his arrest after the prosecution, led by Wisdom Madaki, informed the court that the defendant repeatedly failed to honour court summons despite several adjournments granted at his request.
“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” Madaki told the court, urging it to invoke Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Adeyemi was billed to take his plea but was absent when the case was called, although his counsel, Genesis Francis, was present in court.
The court subsequently granted the prosecution’s request and issued a bench warrant to compel his appearance.
Adeyemi’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the PFIPC, an entity the Presidency has described as non-existent.
More to come…