The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi in the Kuje Correctional Centre after he pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, conspiracy and impersonation.
Adeyemi was arraigned over allegations that he presented himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation the Federal Government has said does not exist.
The case, initially filed by the police against Adeyemi and two other suspects who are still at large, was taken over by the Attorney-General of the Federation. The prosecution alleges that the defendants forged presidential appointment letters and other documents purportedly emanating from the State House.
After Adeyemi entered a not-guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, argued that the defendant had thereby placed himself on trial and should remain in custody pending the determination of the case.
Oyedepo also cited Adeyemi’s conduct before his arrest in urging the court to remand him in prison custody.
Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, however, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution, seeking his release pending trial.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar subsequently adjourned the case until October 12, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
Adeyemi had earlier failed to appear for arraignment, prompting the court to order his arrest; he was subsequently apprehended.
The charges accuse Adeyemi and his alleged accomplices of forging presidential appointment documents, letterhead papers, requests for government offices and other correspondence purportedly issued by the State House.
He is also accused of falsely presenting himself as the head of the purported council.
The Presidency had in June disowned the organisation, saying no such office exists under the Tinubu administration and that Adeyemi was not appointed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed the ICPC to investigate the activities of the purported council and related matters.
