FG withdraws charges against PFIPC’s Adeyemi, prepares fresh arraignment
The Federal Government has withdrawn the eight-count charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of establishing and operating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) without legal authorisation, and is preparing to arraign him afresh before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The development followed the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja to strike out the charge on Monday after the government applied to discontinue the proceedings and pursue a fresh case before the FCT High Court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation had reviewed the case file and identified issues with the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
Oyedepo explained that the allegations involving forged documents used in operating the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court. He added that a fresh charge had been filed and Adeyemi would be arraigned without delay.
Adeyemi’s counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the prosecution’s application, prompting Justice Mohammed Umar to strike out the existing charge. The decision does not determine the merits of the allegations against Adeyemi.
Adeyemi has been in police custody since his arrest in Osun State on July 14. Before his arrest, a Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered his arrest after he failed to honour the court’s summons.
The case centres on allegations that Adeyemi established and operated the PFIPC without legal authorisation or a presidential declaration. The purported council reportedly received an allocation in the 2026 budget, occupied office space at the Federal Secretariat and recruited staff.
Adeyemi had also alleged that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, received N400 million through a proxy in connection with an appointment letter to the purported agency. Following public outcry, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
