The Nigeria Police have arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday after he failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment on an eight-count charge linked to the alleged establishment and operation of the PFIPC, which the Presidency says is not a recognised government agency.
Adeyemi was reportedly arrested shortly after the court proceedings and taken into police custody, where security operatives questioned him about his identity.
During the hearing, Adeyemi’s lawyer urged the court not to issue an arrest warrant, claiming his client stayed away because he feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu expressing his concerns.
The defence further argued that Adeyemi wanted to remain alive to defend himself against the charges.
Justice Umar, however, dismissed the explanation, ruling that the defendant had no valid reason for failing to honour the court’s summons. The judge remarked that the court would “help him to be alive” before issuing a bench warrant directing law enforcement agencies to arrest and produce him before the court.
The case was adjourned until September 30, 2026, for Adeyemi’s arraignment.
The Presidency has maintained that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) does not exist as a government institution, forming a key part of the allegations against the defendant. The charges against him will be addressed when he is formally arraigned before the court.
