A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi. He is the self-acclaimed Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. Interestingly, the case has attracted attention mainly because of the Adeniyi Adeyemi arrest warrant.
According to The Punch, Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Tuesday after Adeyemi failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment. The charges are conspiracy, forgery and impersonation, all directly prompting the Adeniyi Adeyemi arrest warrant issued by the court.
The Nigeria Police Force filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi over his alleged operation of the council. The Presidency has said the council does not exist.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, has suffered several adjournments.
Lawyer cites threats to Adeyemi’s life
Prosecuting counsel Wisdom Madaki asked the court to issue a bench warrant after officials called the case. Adeyemi failed to appear.
However, the defendant’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, told the court that Adeyemi feared for his safety. Adeyemi had written to President Bola Tinubu about alleged threats to his life.
Francis said his client wanted to remain alive to face the charges.
“The court will help him be alive,” Justice Umar replied before granting the prosecution’s application.
The judge adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment. Notably, the Adeniyi Adeyemi arrest warrant remains outstanding ahead of the next court date.
Adeyemi’s absence came a day after he told Channels Television that he was not hiding from security agencies.
“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger,” he said.
“There have been several attempts on my life.”
Police allege forgery and impersonation
The Federal Government, through the police, filed the charges on November 27, 2025.
Prosecutors accused Adeyemi and two other suspects, identified as Femi and Anu, of forging official documents. In addition, they presented the disputed council as a legitimate government agency.
The two other suspects remain at large.
Police alleged that the defendants forged a presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads and documents. These documents approved the establishment of the purported council.
They also allegedly produced letters requesting office space, staff accounts and collaboration with a federal ministry.
Prosecutors claimed Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the council’s Director-General. He operated from an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and these actions ultimately led to the Adeniyi Adeyemi arrest warrant.
One of the charges alleged that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. It was alleged the letter was signed on behalf of President Tinubu.
Another count accused him of impersonating the Director-General of the council between 2024 and 2025.
If convicted on the forgery charges, Adeyemi could face up to 21 years in prison without an option of fine. The impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years or a fine.
Adeyemi maintains agency exists
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi has continued to insist that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council exists.
He also repeated his claim that he paid ₦400m through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General.
According to him, those who lent him the money later petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the transaction.
Police said they began investigating the alleged scheme after the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025.
Investigators alleged that the disputed documents contained forged signatures, official seals, reference numbers and the Nigerian Coat of Arms.
The investigation also linked the alleged operation to Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly died in a hotel fire in Abuja.
Adeyemi has called for an independent investigation into the controversy. He has also called for the reported ₦1.3bn allocation linked to the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act to be investigated.
In an open letter to Tinubu, he requested an investigative panel involving civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association and independent media organisations. He also wanted diplomatic missions, human rights bodies, the ICPC and the EFCC to be included.
He also promised to submit documents and cooperate with investigators if the government establishes the panel. Therefore, the full details behind the Adeniyi Adeyemi arrest warrant may soon come to light.
