N30.8bn fraud: ICPC re-arraigns self-styled DG Adeyemi for forgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly paraded himself as Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), on 22 counts bordering on forgery, impersonation and fraud involving N30.8bn.

Adeyemi, who appeared before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The prosecution alleged that he forged government documents to portray the purported council as a legitimate federal institution, enabling him to secure official recognition, occupy office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, and seek access to public funds.

The amended charges alleged that Adeyemi sought more than N27bn as a take-off grant and another N3.8bn for personnel costs for the purported agency.

Specifically, the ICPC accused him of forging a letter with reference number SH/COS/209/A/3456, dated March 8, 2024, purportedly signed by former Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appointing him as the council’s Director-General.

He was also accused of forging another letter addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation, seeking approval for self-accounting status for the purported agency.

The prosecution alleged that the documents were fabricated to confer legitimacy on the non-existent council and facilitate its access to government facilities and financial resources.

How the controversy began

The case dates back to October 2025, when Gbajabiamila alerted security agencies to the activities of individuals allegedly forging official appointment letters bearing his signature, reference numbers and the State House seal.

The intervention followed complaints from officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, who raised concerns about the activities of another purported government agency operating alongside the commission.

The Presidency subsequently described the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council as fictitious, maintaining that it had not been established by any law, executive order or other valid government instrument.

Investigations reportedly uncovered that the purported council had been operating from the Federal Secretariat, engaging government ministries, departments and agencies, recruiting personnel and presenting itself as an established federal institution.

The police arrested Adeyemi at his office in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on October 27, 2025, following the complaints and investigations into the alleged forgery and impersonation.

Police investigations reportedly traced 34 bank accounts linked to the operation, including nine opened in the names of purported government agencies.

The police subsequently filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two other suspects, identified only as Femi and Anu, on November 27, 2025, over alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

After several unsuccessful attempts to arraign him, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest when he failed to appear for proceedings.

He was eventually arrested in Osun State on July 14, 2026.

The Federal Government later took over the prosecution from the police, and Adeyemi was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 30, 2026, on the original eight-count charge.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, withdrew the charges on October 12 following a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation, which established that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.

The prosecution subsequently filed an amended 22-count charge, incorporating the earlier allegations and additional counts, leading to Thursday’s re-arraignment.

The latest charges represent an expansion of the original eight-count prosecution, rather than a separate set of 22 unrelated cases.

The matter was adjourned until November 9 for trial and possible hearing of the defendant’s bail application.