By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), after the Federal Government sought to terminate the proceedings and pursue a fresh case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The decision was taken on Monday, October 12, 2026, by Justice Mohammed Umar, following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Oyedepo told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had reviewed the case file and the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police, identifying legal issues that required the case to be handled by a different court.
According to the prosecution, the documents allegedly forged in connection with the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court. Oyedepo informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court and that the government intended to arraign Adeyemi again.
He subsequently asked Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge. Adeyemi’s lawyer, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application, paving the way for the judge to terminate the proceedings before the Federal High Court.
The development does not amount to an acquittal. Rather, the government has indicated its intention to continue the prosecution through a fresh arraignment before the FCT High Court. The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
Adeyemi had been facing the eight-count charge alongside two other defendants identified only as Femi and Anu, whose whereabouts were reported to be unknown. The case bordered on alleged conspiracy and forgery.
The prosecution accused Adeyemi of using documents purportedly bearing official government authority to present the PFIPC as a legitimate federal institution. The Presidency has maintained that the council was neither established nor authorised by the Federal Government.
The case attracted national attention after the purported council was reported to have operated from office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and sought recognition and cooperation from government institutions.
The controversy prompted President Bola Tinubu to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the council’s activities and the circumstances that allowed it to appear legitimate.
In July, TheDailyNewsHub reported the presidential directive in its coverage of the ICPC investigation into the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The investigation was intended to examine the use of allegedly forged official documents, the pursuit of government recognition and the possible involvement of individuals or institutions in enabling the council’s operations.
The controversy also involved allegations made by Adeyemi against Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, concerning an alleged payment linked to his purported appointment. Gbajabiamila denied the allegation. The claims remain distinct from the forgery proceedings and should not be treated as established facts.
Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State on July 14, 2026, after a court had ordered his arrest following his failure to appear for earlier proceedings, according to reports on the case.
The fresh charge before the FCT High Court is expected to determine the next stage of the prosecution. Further proceedings will establish how the allegations are addressed under the new case.
The case has raised questions about the verification of official documents and the checks applied when individuals or organisations seek recognition within government institutions. However, responsibility for any alleged wrongdoing must be determined through the appropriate legal process.