The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged forgery, impersonation and fraud. His arrest marks a major development in one of Nigeria’s most controversial public sector scandals in recent months.
The long-running PFIPC controversy took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
His arrest came only hours after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his arrest for failing to appear in court to answer criminal charges filed against him.
Adeyemi was scheduled to be arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Although a lawyer appeared in court claiming to represent him, the defendant himself failed to appear. Prosecutors argued that he had repeatedly ignored invitations to face trial, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant compelling security agencies to arrest and produce him before the court.
Barely hours after the warrant was issued, the Force Public Relations Officer confirmed that officers of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) arrested Adeyemi in Osun State.
Police also released footage showing operatives questioning the suspect shortly after his arrest, bringing an end to days of uncertainty over whether he would submit himself to the judicial process voluntarily.
The PFIPC saga has generated nationwide attention after investigators alleged that the organisation operated as a fictitious federal agency while allegedly using forged government documents and official identities.
Authorities have accused Adeyemi of impersonating senior government officials, forging official correspondence and allegedly deceiving institutions into recognising the organisation as a legitimate federal body. The Presidency has consistently distanced itself from the council and ordered a broader anti-corruption investigation into the matter.
With Adeyemi now in police custody, attention is expected to shift back to the Federal High Court, where prosecutors are preparing to proceed with the criminal charges.
The outcome of the case is also expected to determine whether additional individuals linked to the PFIPC controversy could face prosecution as investigations continue.