The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count charge of alleged forgery and impersonation against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charge on Monday after the Federal Government applied to withdraw the case, citing jurisdictional issues identified during a review of the prosecution.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation had reviewed the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police and determined that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Oyedepo informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court, adding that the government intended to arraign Adeyemi afresh without delay.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the prosecution’s application. Justice Umar subsequently struck out the existing charge, paving the way for proceedings to begin before the other court.
The decision ends the current proceedings at the Federal High Court but does not amount to an acquittal on the allegations, as the government intends to pursue the case before the FCT High Court.
Adeyemi, 38, had been standing trial alongside two other defendants identified only as Femi and Anu, who were reported to be at large.
The eight-count charge, filed on November 27, 2025, included allegations of conspiracy to commit forgery, impersonation and the falsification of documents purportedly originating from the Presidency.
The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi forged a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as presidential letter-headed papers and requests relating to office accommodation and government collaboration.
Other counts concerned an alleged request for approval of staff account status and a conveyance relating to the take-off of the purported Presidential Economic Advisory Council and PFIPC.
Prosecutors further alleged that Adeyemi created a fictitious government agency, appointed himself its director-general, secured office space at the Federal Secretariat and obtained a budget allocation using forged documents.
The Presidency has described the PFIPC as a non-existent and unauthorised agency. However, the allegations against Adeyemi remain subject to judicial determination.
Adeyemi had earlier pleaded not guilty to all eight counts and was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
With the fresh charge reportedly filed at the FCT High Court, the Federal Government is expected to proceed with a new arraignment. The case will then continue before the court with jurisdiction over the matter.
The proceedings have drawn public attention because of allegations that a purported government agency operated using documents said to have originated from the Presidency. The fresh court proceedings are expected to determine how the allegations are resolved under the law.
Shola Akinyele
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