The embattled self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force shortly after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.
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Adeyemi was reportedly arrested in Osun State by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja, hours after Justice Mohammed Umar ordered security agencies to arrest and produce him in court for arraignment over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.
The spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest, saying Adeyemi was apprehended in Osun and was expected to be transferred to Abuja.
“Yes, it is confirmed. The Intelligence Response Team from Abuja arrested him here in Osun,” Ojelabi was quoted as saying.
A video of the arrest reportedly showed Adeyemi dressed in a light blue traditional outfit and surrounded by security operatives. In the footage, he appeared reluctant to immediately identify himself when questioned by officers.
The arrest followed proceedings earlier on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, where Adeyemi was scheduled to be arraigned on an eight-count charge filed by the police.
Although a lawyer, Genesis Francis, announced appearance for him, Adeyemi was absent when the matter was called.
Police prosecutor, Wisdom Madaki, then applied orally for a warrant of arrest, telling the court that the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear for trial.
“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” the prosecutor was quoted as saying.
Madaki relied on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and urged the court to compel Adeyemi’s appearance.
The defence opposed the application, arguing that Adeyemi stayed away from court because of alleged threats to his life. His lawyer also said he had previously appeared before the court on May 16.
However, Justice Umar granted the prosecution’s application, noting that since the charge was filed on November 27, 2025, Adeyemi had appeared before the court only once.
“Since then, he has failed to appear before this court on four consecutive dates,” the judge said.
The court subsequently issued a warrant mandating security agencies to arrest and produce him before the court on September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
Adeyemi’s arrest came barely a day after he publicly denied reports that he was hiding from security agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he said he was not evading arrest but had withdrawn from public appearances because he feared for his safety.
“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger,” he said.
“There have been several attempts on my life.”
During the interview, Adeyemi also repeated his allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council.
He claimed that the persons from whom he borrowed the money had already petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the transaction.
The police charge against Adeyemi also involves two other defendants.
The prosecution listed several witnesses expected to testify during the trial, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel; Jeremiah Imoukhede; Ituah Sylvester; two officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu; and a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
TheNigeriaLawyer had earlier reported that the police were set to arraign Adeyemi on an eight-count charge in which he was accused of forging an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and allegedly signed by Gbajabiamila.
The charge also accused him of allegedly operating the disputed PFIPC from an office on the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja.
Police alleged that Adeyemi forged presidential letterheaded papers on March 8, 2024, and also forged requests for collaboration, office space, self-accounting status and take-off approval purportedly emanating from the State House.
He was further accused of falsely presenting himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an entity the Presidency has maintained does not exist.
Police said investigation into the alleged PFIPC scandal began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over the circulation of alleged forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the office.
Investigators alleged that the documents contained fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, and were used to create the impression that the PFIPC was a legitimate Federal Government agency.
The investigation also linked the alleged scheme to Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly died in a hotel fire in Abuja and whom Adeyemi has described as a key intermediary in the matter.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi has continued to insist that the PFIPC exists and has called for an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the disputed council and its alleged ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In an open letter to President Tinubu, he requested the constitution of a multi-stakeholder investigative panel comprising civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, independent media organisations, international financial institutions, human rights groups, diplomatic missions, the ICPC and the EFCC.
He also pledged to provide documentary evidence and cooperate with investigators if such a panel is established.
President Tinubu had earlier directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the activities of the purported council and report back within 30 days.
Adeyemi’s arrest marks a fresh twist in the PFIPC scandal, which has raised questions about alleged forged appointment letters, claims of official recognition, alleged budgetary allocation, bank accounts, office space and institutional access.
The police said the forgery-related charges could attract up to 21 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine if proved, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.
Adeyemi and the other defendants have not been convicted of the allegations.
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