Court Strikes Out Forgery Charge against Alleged PFIPC DG Adeyemi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count forgery charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who had presented himself as Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Justice Mohammed Umar terminated proceedings on Monday following an application by the Federal Government, which said it intended to prosecute the case afresh before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation had reviewed the case file and identified legal gaps that necessitated the withdrawal of the existing charge.

Oyedepo explained that the alleged offences involving forged documents could be prosecuted before the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court. He said the government had concluded arrangements to bring a fresh charge against Adeyemi before the appropriate court.

The application to strike out the charge was not opposed by Adeyemi’s counsel, Mr Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, allowing the court to grant the prosecution’s request.

The case was initially instituted by the police before the Attorney-General’s office took over the prosecution.

Adeyemi had been arraigned on allegations bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation. He pleaded not guilty to all eight counts and was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The allegations include claims that he conspired with two other suspects, identified only as Femi and Anu, to forge presidential appointment letters, official State House letterheads and other documents purportedly issued by government authorities. The two other suspects were reported to be at large.

The alleged documents were said to have been used in connection with the operation of the purported council, which the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President had previously disowned.

In a statement issued in June, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the organisation did not exist under the current administration and that no appointment had been made through it.

The striking out of the charge does not amount to an acquittal on the allegations. The Federal Government has indicated its intention to pursue a fresh prosecution before the FCT High Court.