A self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Adeyemi, who has repeatedly claimed to head the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), was arrested shortly after Justice Mohammed Umar ordered security agencies to produce him in court following his failure to appear for arraignment.
The development marks a major step in an investigation that has attracted public attention after the Presidency declared that the council Adeyemi claimed to lead does not exist as a federal government agency.
Adeyemi was expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday to answer an eight-count criminal charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force. The charges, contained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, include conspiracy, forgery, fraud and impersonation.
However, despite the case being listed for hearing, Adeyemi was absent from court. Although his lawyer, Mr. Genesis Francis, announced his appearance, the defendant himself did not show up to take his plea.
The prosecution immediately made an oral application, asking the court to issue a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest.
Justice Umar granted the request after rejecting the defence’s explanation that Adeyemi stayed away because he feared for his safety.
The judge ruled that the defendant must be compelled to appear before the court to answer the allegations against him. He subsequently adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
Only a few hours after the court’s decision, police operatives arrested Adeyemi in Osun State.
A video of the arrest, which has circulated widely on social media, showed Adeyemi dressed in a light blue traditional outfit while surrounded by armed security personnel.
In the footage, officers repeatedly asked him to identify himself.
When first asked to state his name, Adeyemi avoided giving a direct response.
“I’ve mentioned it, sir,” he replied.
The officers insisted that he repeat his name.
“Please mention it for us. What is your name?” one of the officers asked.
Adeyemi responded again, saying, “I’ve said it several times.”
He appeared serious throughout the encounter as security operatives questioned him before taking him into custody.
The arrest came barely one day after Adeyemi publicly denied reports that he was on the run from security agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he insisted that he had not gone into hiding.
“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding,” he said.
He, however, claimed he had stayed away because he feared for his life.
“I have it on good authority that my life is in danger. There have been several attempts on my life,” he alleged.
Adeyemi also repeated a controversial claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council.
He called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged appointment and the controversy that followed.
The police, however, have maintained that their investigation uncovered evidence suggesting that Adeyemi forged several official government documents to create the impression that the council was a legitimate federal agency.
According to investigators, one of the forged documents was a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Police also alleged that other government documents were falsified and used to support claims that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council had official approval from the Presidency.
Investigators further accused Adeyemi of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the council and operating from an office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
The allegations prompted the Nigeria Police Force to file criminal charges against him after completing its investigation.
The Presidency has consistently distanced itself from the organisation, insisting that no agency known as the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council exists within the structure of the Federal Government.
Government officials have repeatedly warned members of the public, investors and business organisations to verify the authenticity of government agencies before engaging with individuals claiming to represent them.
The case has raised fresh concerns over the growing activities of individuals who allegedly create fake government offices or falsely claim official appointments in order to gain public trust and conduct business under the guise of government authority.
Under Nigerian law, forgery-related offences carry severe penalties. If found guilty, Adeyemi could face up to 21 years in prison without the option of paying a fine.
The impersonation charge also attracts a maximum prison sentence of three years or the option of a fine upon conviction.
The prosecution is expected to formally read the charges to the defendant when he is produced before the court on the next adjourned date.
The case is likely to draw further public attention because of Adeyemi’s repeated public statements defending his actions and his claim that he legitimately held the position.
Security agencies are also expected to continue investigations into whether other individuals may have assisted in the alleged creation and operation of the disputed organisation.
For now, Adeyemi remains in police custody as authorities prepare for his arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 30, where he is expected to enter his plea to the eight criminal charges filed against him.