ICPC Arraigns PFIPC’s Adeyemi on 22 Fresh Counts of Forgery, Impersonation

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi on 22 fresh counts bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences over his purported claim to the position of Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Adeyemi was arraigned on Thursday before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The fresh charges followed the striking out of an earlier eight-count case against him by the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 12. The Federal Government had sought to discontinue the earlier proceedings after a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation determined that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.

According to the prosecution, Adeyemi allegedly forged a letter dated March 8, 2024, purportedly signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, appointing him as the council’s director-general.

The ICPC alleged that he used forged documents to present the purported council as a legitimate government institution and gain access to government facilities and official processes.

The charges also include allegations that Adeyemi forged an executive order purportedly establishing the council, as well as documents relating to its recognition and financial operations.

The commission further accused him of using documents allegedly submitted to government officials to seek more than ₦27 billion for establishing the purported agency and an additional ₦3.8 billion for personnel costs.

Other counts concern alleged payments to public officials. The prosecution claimed Adeyemi gave ₦210,000 to an official in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to facilitate the allocation of office space and ₦300,000 to another official to facilitate the release of two vehicles.

He was also accused of obtaining ₦20 million from Oyekunle Gbenga, managing director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, under the pretence of a project facilitation loan linked to a purported contract for furnishing and renovating an official residence.

Adeyemi has denied the charges. The allegations have yet to be established in court, and the case will proceed to trial.

Following his plea, ICPC counsel Fatima Bardi asked the court to fix a date for trial. Defence counsel Ibrahim Angulu subsequently made an oral application for bail, citing Adeyemi’s prolonged detention and health concerns.

Justice Halilu Yusuf directed the defence to file a formal written bail application and adjourned the case until November 9, 2026, for trial and possible consideration of bail.