Federal Court Dismisses Charges Against Fake Agency Director, Orders Fresh Arraignment

A federal high court in Abuja dismissed charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, alleged director of a fictitious government agency, citing jurisdictional issues. The case has been transferred to the Federal Capital Territory High Court for fresh arraignment following the Attorney General's review of the original prosecution file.

Quick Facts

Federal High Court struck out eight-count criminal charge
Case transferred to Federal Capital Territory High Court
Fresh arraignment ordered at FCT High Court
New charge filed before FCT High Court
Adeyemi alleged to have operated fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja struck out an eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged director-general of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), on October 12, 2026. The dismissal followed a request by the federal government, which identified jurisdictional issues requiring the case to be transferred to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for fresh arraignment.

Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation had reviewed the case file and discovered loopholes in the original charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police. Oyedepo stated that the forged documents involved in Adeyemi's operations fall under the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court. A new charge has been filed before the FCT High Court, and Adeyemi will be arraigned afresh without delay. Adeyemi's counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, did not oppose the application.

Adeyemi, 38, was arrested in Osun State on July 14 after failing to honour a court summons. He faces charges of conspiracy and forgery related to his alleged operation of the PFIPC, which the government contends was a fictitious agency without legal standing. The PFIPC operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, received a budget allocation of 1.302 billion naira for 2026, and allegedly recruited staff despite having no presidential authorization or formal establishment. Two other defendants, identified only as Femi and Anu, remain at large.

Adeyemi has alleged that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, collected 400 million naira through a proxy to facilitate his appointment to the agency. Gbajabiamila has denied the claim and filed a libel suit against Adeyemi. An investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concluded that Adeyemi's appointment letter, gazette, and supporting documents were forged. The House of Representatives also investigated the matter, with officials including former Head of Service Didi Esther Walson-Jack acknowledging that insufficient due diligence was carried out in recognizing the purported agency.

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#Nigeria #Federal High Court #fresh arraignment #Femi Gbajabiamila #fake agency #jurisdictional transfer #Adeniyi Adeyemi #forgery charges #PFIPC

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Why This Matters

A federal court dismissal on jurisdictional grounds halts prosecution of a defendant facing charges tied to operation of a fictitious government agency. The case transfer to a different court and fresh arraignment will reset procedural timelines, allowing the Attorney General's office to address identified legal loopholes before renewed prosecution. Measurable impact: court proceedings restarted in a different jurisdiction; defendant Adeyemi remains in custody pending new arraignment; two other defendants remain at large; allegations of corruption involving a presidential staff member are under separate legal challenge.

Timeline & Sources

Jul 14, 2026

Wire

Adeniyi Adeyemi arrested in Osun State after failing to honour court summons

Oct 12, 2026

Wire

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar struck out eight-count criminal charge at Federal High Court, Abuja

Oct 12, 2026

Wire

Director of Public Prosecutions informed court that new charge filed before FCT High Court; fresh arraignment to follow