The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), following the Federal Government’s decision to pursue the case before another court.
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charges on Monday, October 12, 2026, after the prosecution requested the termination of the proceedings to facilitate Adeyemi’s fresh arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, had reviewed the case file and identified legal issues concerning the appropriate court to handle the alleged offences.
Oyedepo explained that the documents Adeyemi allegedly forged in connection with the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court. He informed the court that a fresh charge had been filed and that the government intended to arraign the defendant without delay.
Adeyemi’s counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the prosecution’s application. Justice Umar subsequently granted the request and struck out the existing charge.
The decision represents a procedural development rather than a determination of the allegations against Adeyemi. The Federal Government has indicated its intention to continue the prosecution through fresh proceedings before the appropriate court.
The case centres on allegations that Adeyemi established or operated a purported government institution without proper authorisation and presented himself as its director-general.
The controversy attracted national attention following allegations of forged official documents, impersonation and attempts to obtain government recognition for the purported agency.
The Presidency has previously maintained that the PFIPC was not an authorised government institution. The allegations, however, remain matters for judicial determination, and Adeyemi is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a competent court.
The eight-count charge was brought against Adeyemi and two other individuals whose whereabouts were reported to be unknown. The allegations included conspiracy and forgery.
In September 2026, Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to the charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja and was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The latest development places the focus on the Federal Government’s next legal steps and the anticipated proceedings before the FCT High Court.
For Nigeria, the case raises broader questions about the verification of government institutions, the authentication of official documents and the safeguards required to prevent the misuse of public authority.
As the prosecution prepares to proceed under a fresh charge, the outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented before the court and the judicial process that follows.
Nigeria’s Federal High Court strikes out the eight-count charge against alleged fake PFIPC Director-General Adeniyi Adeyemi as the government prepares fresh proceedings before the FCT High Court.