ABUJA — The Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the government’s crackdown on alleged public sector corruption.
Mr. Adeyemi appeared before Justice Muhammed Umar to answer to an eight-count charge bordering on forgery and the fabrication of high-level government documents. The arraignment follows a lengthy investigation into the activities of the PFIPC, an agency that has recently become the subject of intense public scrutiny.
According to the federal prosecution, Mr. Adeyemi allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to deceive both domestic and international stakeholders. The core of the case centers on allegations that the defendant forged an official appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The charge sheet, presented in open court, detailed that on March 8, 2024, the defendant allegedly forged official Presidential letterhead paper to give a veneer of legitimacy to his activities. Prosecutors further contend that Mr. Adeyemi went beyond mere administrative deception, allegedly fabricating a formal request for “collaboration” with the Ministry of the Area Council.
Perhaps most striking, the charges include allegations that the defendant forged documents seeking land allocation and office space across all 36 states of the federation. These requests were reportedly presented as having emanated directly from the State House in Abuja, a move prosecutors claim was intended to secure illegal concessions and exert influence over state-level resources.
Standing before the bench, Mr. Adeyemi listened as the eight counts were read out by the court clerk. When asked to enter his plea, he maintained his composure and formally pleaded “Not Guilty” to every charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
The courtroom was packed with legal observers and representatives from various agencies as the prosecution team indicated their readiness to proceed with witnesses. The defense counsel did not immediately file a formal bail application but signaled their intention to do so at the next hearing, citing their client’s right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
Justice Muhammed Umar adjourned the case for further proceedings, as the government signaled its intent to provide a comprehensive list of witnesses to prove the scale of the alleged forgery.
The arraignment is expected to have far-reaching implications for the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, which has faced mounting criticism regarding its operational transparency in recent months. Legal analysts suggest that the trial will be closely watched by international investors as the government seeks to reassure stakeholders of the integrity of its investment promotion agencies.
For now, the defendant remains in the custody of security agencies until his bail application is heard and determined by the court.
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