Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment.
The judge granted the order following an oral application by the prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki.
Adeyemi was expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Although the matter was listed as No. 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant was absent when the case was called, despite a lawyer, Genesis Francis, announcing his appearance on his behalf.
Addressing the court, the police prosecutor complained that the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear for his trial.
“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” Madaki told the court.
Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest.
However, the application was opposed by the defence counsel, who attributed his client’s absence to alleged threats to his life.
The defence lawyer also reminded the court that Adeyemi had appeared before it on 16 May, when the matter was subsequently adjourned.
After listening to both parties, Justice Umar said he was inclined to grant the prosecution’s request.
The judge noted that although the case was filed on 27 November 2025 and proceedings commenced on 4 December 2025, the defendant had only appeared in court once since the charges were instituted.
“Since then, he has failed to appear before this court on four consecutive dates,” the judge observed.
Consequently, Justice Umar issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court on 30 September for his arraignment.
Adeyemi has been at the centre of controversy over allegations that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation authorities have described as non-existent. He is also facing allegations relating to the forgery of official documents and impersonation.
