Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected detained Adeniyi Adeyemi’s requests for bail and medical attention in the case involving the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The judge, however, ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to allow Adeyemi access to his lawyers. Justice Egwuatu also directed the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force and the AGF to explain within 72 hours why Adeyemi’s other requests, including bail, should not be granted. The matter was adjourned until September 9 for the respondents to provide their explanations.
Adeyemi has been in police custody since his arrest in Osun State on July 14, following a bench warrant issued by Justice Mohammed Umar after he failed to appear for arraignment. He faces an eight-count criminal charge over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation including forging documents purportedly issued by the State House and falsely presenting himself as Director-General of the PFIPC.
The Presidency has stated that the PFIPC is not a government agency under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The controversy escalated after an entity described as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Bill with an allocation of about N1.303 billion. The ICPC has recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution, stating that documents used to establish the agency were forged. Adeyemi has denied wrongdoing and said he is prepared to defend himself in court.