Nigeria Rocked by Fake Presidential Council Scandal: 'Phantom' DG Adeniyi Adeyemi Arrested!

Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly paraded himself as the Director-General (DG) of the controversial and non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has been arrested. His arrest occurred in Osun State moments after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his immediate detention. Justice Mohammed Umar mandated security agencies to arrest and produce Adeyemi before the court, following his repeated failure to appear for his scheduled arraignment.

The court's order on Tuesday came after Adeyemi consistently failed to appear for his trial on an eight-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, which encompasses allegations of forgery, fraud, and impersonation. Prosecutor Wisdom Madaki noted that this was the fifth time the case had been listed, with all previous adjournments being at the defendant's instance. Despite the matter being prominently listed on the court’s cause list, Adeyemi was absent, though a lawyer, Genesis Francis, announced his appearance on his behalf. Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue an arrest warrant.

Adeyemi's counsel, Genesis Francis, opposed the application, explaining that his client’s absence was due to fears for his life. The defense lawyer stated that Adeyemi had written to President Bola Tinubu to express his concerns over his safety, emphasizing his client’s desire to remain alive to stand trial and defend himself against the allegations. However, Justice Umar rejected this explanation, asserting that Adeyemi had no justifiable reason to disregard the court’s summons. In a pointed remark regarding Adeyemi’s fears, the judge stated, "The court will help him to be alive," before acceding to the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant. The court noted that while the case was filed on November 27, 2025, proceedings commenced on December 4, 2025, and Adeyemi had only appeared once since then, failing to attend four consecutive dates.

The Presidency has consistently maintained that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) is not a recognized government agency and does not exist. This assertion forms a crucial part of the allegations against Adeyemi, who is accused of establishing and operating this purported council and presenting himself as its Director-General. The charges stem from his alleged use of forged official documents, including fake signatures, official seals, reference numbers, and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, to legitimize the PFIPC and operate from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he reportedly issued appointments into the fake agency.

Prior to his arrest, Adeyemi had publicly dismissed insinuations that he was evading law enforcement, attributing his withdrawal from public view to alleged threats to his life. He claimed to have it on "good authority" that his life was in danger due to "several attempts." Furthermore, Adeyemi maintained serious allegations, including that he paid N400 million through a proxy to President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to secure his appointment as DG of the disputed council. He also stated that those from whom he borrowed the N400 million had since dragged him before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Adeyemi insisted on the PFIPC's existence and demanded an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel to probe the controversy surrounding an alleged N1.3 billion budget insertion for the Council in the 2026 Appropriation Bill. He also cited the controversial death of Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the matter, as a factor reinforcing his decision to stay off the radar.

The Nigeria Police commenced interrogation of Adeyemi immediately following his arrest. A video showed him being questioned by officers, where he defiantly insisted he had already provided his identity. The investigation into Adeyemi’s activities began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police concerning alleged forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the Chief of Staff's office. The prosecution has lined up several high-profile witnesses, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, two officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu), and a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

With the bench warrant executed and Adeyemi now in custody, the court has adjourned the matter until September 30 for his arraignment. His arrest marks a significant development in the criminal proceedings, as the legal process moves forward to address the serious allegations of forgery, fraud, and impersonation associated with the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.