Court remands Adeyemi in Kuje custody after not-guilty plea in PFIPC case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Adeniyi Adeyemi in the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on an eight-count charge relating to alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Adeyemi, who was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to all eight counts.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, was initially filed by the Nigeria Police Force against Adeyemi and two other defendants, identified in the charge as Femi and Anu, who are reportedly still at large.

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had directed the Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution from the police.

Following Adeyemi’s plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand him in custody and requested an accelerated hearing of the case.

Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, asked the court to consider a bail application that had previously been filed and served on the prosecution.

The defence also informed the court that Adeyemi had a medical appointment scheduled for Friday. The prosecution opposed his immediate release, saying that appropriate medical attention was available in custody.

Justice Umar declined to hear the bail application on Wednesday, citing the volume of matters before the court. He subsequently ordered that Adeyemi remain in Kuje Correctional Centre.

The court adjourned the matter until October 12, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and continuation of proceedings.

According to the prosecution’s case, Adeyemi allegedly conspired with two other persons to forge official documents.

One of the counts alleges that he forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Other counts allege the forgery of presidential letterhead documents and purported requests relating to collaboration with government authorities, office accommodation, staff accounts and the take-off of the purported Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Another count alleges that Adeyemi falsely represented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.

The allegations have not been established by the court, and Adeyemi has denied wrongdoing by pleading not guilty to all the charges.

The case follows an earlier order for Adeyemi’s arrest after he failed to appear before the court for his scheduled arraignment. Justice Umar subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest, and he was later arrested in Osun State.

The case is connected to wider official scrutiny of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. Government authorities have disputed the status of the organisation, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has investigated issues surrounding the council and Adeyemi’s alleged appointment.

Adeyemi remains presumed innocent unless and until the allegations against him are proved in court.