The federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday, July 14, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the self-styled Director-General (DG) of a non-existent Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the arrest order following an oral application made by the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki.
Adeyemi was billed to take his plea on an eight-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, relating to forgery, fraud, and impersonation.
However, although the matter was listed as No. 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant failed to appear for his arraignment, even though a lawyer, Genesis Francis, announced his appearance on his behalf.
Shortly after the case was called, the prosecution counsel noted that the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear for his trial.
“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” the police lawyer lamented.
Consequently, relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution counsel urged the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
The application was immediately opposed by the defence lawyer, who blamed his client’s absence in court on threats to his life.
The defence lawyer drew the court’s attention to the fact that his client was present for his arraignment on May 16, a date to which he said the case was later adjourned.
“Since then, this case has become a matter of public importance, and there have been many threats to his life.
“The defendant is afraid for his life. He has to be alive to be able to face trial. They have been looking for him even without an order of court,” Francis added.
Delivering his ruling after listening to both lawyers, justice Umar said he was minded to accede to the application for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the defendant.
The court noted that whereas the case was filed on November 27, 2025, proceedings did not commence until December 4, 2025.
Justice Umar noted that since the charge was filed, the defendant had appeared before the court only once.
“Since then, he has failed to appear before this court on four consecutive dates,” Justice Umar added.
He therefore issued a warrant mandating security agencies to arrest and produce the defendant before the court on September 30 for arraignment.
Among those billed to testify in the matter are the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel; Jeremiah Imoukhede; and Ituah Sylvester.
Other witnesses are civil servants working in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Adeyemi, whose whereabouts remain unknown, said that his withdrawal from public view was due to threats to his life.
He dismissed the insinuation that he was hiding from law enforcement agencies in a bid to evade investigation into his involvement in the PFIPC fraud.
“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger.
“There have been several attempts on my life,” Adeyemi added.
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