The Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of alleged forgery and impersonation brought against him by the Nigeria Police Force.
Adeyemi entered the plea on Wednesday before Justice Umar Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the charges were read to him.
The charges stem from allegations that he forged government documents, including an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi, alongside two other suspects identified as “Femi, surname unknown” and “Anu, surname unknown,” forged the appointment letter on or about March 8, 2024.
The alleged offences are punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
During the proceedings, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director of Public Prosecution at the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the Attorney-General had directed his office to take over the prosecution from the police.
Oyedepo said the Office of the Attorney-General would review the case file but urged the court to proceed with the existing charge and arraignment.
After Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to all eight counts, the prosecution asked the court to fix dates for the trial.
Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, informed the court that his client had filed a bail application, citing ill health among the grounds for his release.
Justice Mohammed noted the bail application and the Federal Government’s response before fixing October 12 and 13 for hearing of the bail application and trial.
The judge ordered that Adeyemi be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, also has two other defendants who are currently at large.
The prosecution has listed several witnesses, including Gbajabiamila, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, police officers, civil servants and individuals allegedly associated with the operations of the purported agency.
Hotel operators, a clergyman and people said to have worked with Adeyemi at the organisation are also expected to testify.
The police had previously obtained an arrest warrant against Adeyemi after he failed to appear for earlier court proceedings.
The case followed a controversy over the status of the PFIPC, with Adeyemi challenging the Presidency’s position that the organisation was not an official government body.
Adeyemi had also alleged that Gbajabiamila made conflicting statements concerning the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. He further alleged that N400 million was paid through intermediaries in connection with his purported appointment and that an additional N200 million was requested.
The allegations have not been established in court.
Separately, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is investigating alleged activities surrounding the purported agency following a directive from President Tinubu.
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