The self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested by the police shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Adeyemi was reportedly apprehended at his hideout in Osun State on Tuesday, moments after Justice Mohammed Umar ordered his arrest for repeatedly failing to appear in court for his arraignment. He is expected to be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Earlier, Justice Umar granted the prosecution’s application for a warrant after Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, informed the court that he could not persuade his client to appear because of fears for his safety.
The lawyer said Adeyemi had stated in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu that he was afraid for his life, claiming the case had become a matter of national interest.
However, prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, argued that the defendant had frustrated proceedings, noting that the matter had been adjourned five times for arraignment at his request.
Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
In his ruling, Justice Umar observed that the charges were filed on November 27, 2025, and that although proceedings commenced on December 4, 2025, Adeyemi had appeared in court only once and subsequently failed to attend four consecutive sittings.
The court consequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest and adjourned the case until September 30.
Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation. The Federal Government alleges that he forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He is also accused of forging presidential letterheaded documents dated March 8, 2024, falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, and forging official correspondence requesting office accommodation from the State House.