Police Arrest Alleged Fake Presidential Council Director General After Court Issues Bench Warrant

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in Osun State, just hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Adeyemi was taken into custody after failing to appear before the court to answer charges relating to forgery, fraud, and impersonation, prompting the court to order his immediate arrest.

The bench warrant was issued by Justice Muhammed Umar following an application by the prosecution, which argued that the defendant had repeatedly failed to honour court summons despite several adjournments granted at his request.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki, informed the court that Adeyemi’s continued absence had delayed the commencement of the criminal trial. According to the prosecution, the defendant had consistently failed to appear in court, making it impossible for the arraignment to proceed.

Although the matter was listed for hearing and Adeyemi’s legal representative, Genesis Francis, was present in court to announce his appearance, the defendant himself was absent when the case was called.

The prosecution emphasized that this was the fifth time the matter had come before the court, noting that each previous adjournment had been granted at the instance of the defendant. Madaki argued that Adeyemi’s repeated failure to appear amounted to an abuse of the judicial process and justified the issuance of a bench warrant.

Relying on the provisions of Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution urged the court to compel the defendant’s appearance through lawful means, stressing that the trial could not continue indefinitely without his presence.

Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution’s submission and granted the application, issuing a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest to ensure he is brought before the court to face the charges against him.

Shortly after the warrant was issued, the Nigeria Police successfully apprehended Adeyemi, bringing an end to efforts to secure his appearance before the court.

The defendant is expected to be arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud, and impersonation. The charges stem from allegations surrounding his activities as the purported Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organization authorities have described as illegitimate.

His arrest marks a significant step in the ongoing legal proceedings, with the court expected to continue the case once he is formally presented to answer the allegations.

The development also underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensuring that individuals facing criminal charges comply with court orders and that the legal process proceeds without unnecessary delays.