A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for arraignment over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Adeyemi was scheduled to take his plea before Justice Mohammed Umar on an eight-count charge but was absent when the matter was called.
The criminal case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, came up for hearing on Tuesday without the defendant in court.
According to Channels Television, Justice Umar subsequently issued a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest following his failure to appear.
The charges, filed on November 27, 2025, by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki, also named two other defendants.
The prosecution is expected to call several witnesses 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.
The court order came a day after Adeyemi dismissed reports alleging that he had gone into hiding to evade security agencies.
During an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he maintained that he stayed away 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.”
Adeyemi also restated his claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council.
He said those from whom he borrowed the money had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the payment.
Police had earlier said the investigation into the alleged PFIPC scandal was launched after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over forged appointment letters allegedly circulated in the name of the office.
