Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count criminal charge filed against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following the Federal Government’s decision to pursue the case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charge on Monday, October 12, 2026, after the prosecution requested the termination of the existing proceedings to allow Adeyemi to be arraigned afresh before the appropriate court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had reviewed the case file and identified procedural and jurisdictional concerns with the original charge.
According to reports of the proceedings, the prosecution maintained that the alleged offences involving documents purportedly forged during the operation of the disputed council should be prosecuted before the High Court of the FCT rather than the Federal High Court.
Oyedepo informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court and asked Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge to facilitate the transfer of the prosecution to the appropriate judicial forum.
Defence Does Not Oppose Application
Adeyemi’s counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, did not oppose the prosecution’s application.
Following the absence of an objection from the defence, Justice Umar granted the request and struck out the eight-count charge.
The decision brings the existing proceedings before the Federal High Court to an end but does not, by itself, amount to a determination of the allegations against Adeyemi.
The prosecution’s stated intention is to continue the case through a fresh arraignment before the FCT High Court.
Consequently, the development should not be interpreted as an acquittal on the substantive allegations or as proof that the accusations have been withdrawn permanently. The next stage will depend on the proceedings before the court where the fresh charge has reportedly been filed.
Background to the PFIPC Controversy
The case stems from allegations that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the head of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has described as non-existent under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The controversy attracted national attention after questions emerged about the council’s purported establishment, Adeyemi’s claimed appointment and documents allegedly used to represent the organisation as a government institution.
The prosecution’s original eight-count charge, filed in November 2025, accused Adeyemi and two other individuals, identified in court reports as Femi and Anu, of offences including conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
The allegations included claims that documents purporting to originate from the Presidency had been forged or used to support the council’s activities.
Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to all eight counts when he was arraigned before Justice Umar on September 30, 2026. The court subsequently ordered that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The allegations remain matters for judicial determination. A not-guilty plea means the defendant has denied the charges, and the prosecution must establish its case through the applicable legal process.
Federal Government Takes Over Prosecution
The latest development follows the Federal Government’s takeover of the prosecution from the Nigeria Police Force.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently reviewed the case and requested that the existing charge be discontinued in the Federal High Court so the allegations could be pursued before the FCT High Court.
The prosecution’s explanation centred on the appropriate court for trying the alleged offences.
The decision therefore concerns the forum in which the case should proceed rather than a judicial finding on whether Adeyemi committed the alleged offences.
The fresh proceedings will determine how the prosecution presents its case and whether the allegations can be established against the defendant.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is the reported fresh arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
The prosecution will be expected to proceed in accordance with the applicable legal requirements, while Adeyemi will retain his right to respond to the allegations and defend himself.
Further information about the new charge, the date of arraignment and any subsequent bail proceedings will be important in tracking the case.
For now, the Federal High Court’s decision means the original eight-count charge has been struck out following the prosecution’s application. The wider allegations surrounding the disputed council remain unresolved.
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Sources
- Federal High Court proceedings in Abuja, as reported on October 12, 2026.
- ThisTimes.com.ng — report on the striking out of the Federal Government’s charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi.
- NewsclickNG — report on the transfer of the prosecution to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
- Channels Television — background reporting on the PFIPC controversy and the earlier arraignment.
- Reuters — background reporting on the allegations concerning the disputed government agency.
