PFIPC: Court Denies Bail To ‘Fake DG’ Adeyemi, Orders Police To Grant Him Access To Lawyers

The legal trouble of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the embattled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has taken another turn as the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant him bail.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling on Thursday, declined to grant the bail application filed by Adeyemi’s lawyer, M.B. Abdulazeez, through an ex-parte motion.

The judge held that it would not be proper to grant the major reliefs sought without first hearing from the police and other respondents involved in the matter.

Justice Egwuatu, however, ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the police to give Adeyemi unhindered access to his lawyers while he remains in custody.

The court also gave the respondents 72 hours to explain why the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi should not be granted and fixed September 9 for them to appear and show cause.

Adeyemi’s latest legal battle is linked to a criminal case instituted against him by the police over alleged forgery and impersonation.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, is being handled by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The police accused Adeyemi, alongside two other persons identified as “Femi Surname Unknown” and “Anu Surname Unknown,” of offences bordering on forgery and impersonation.

Adeyemi’s trouble deepened in July when Justice Umar issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for scheduled proceedings in the criminal case.

The court subsequently fixed September 30 for his arraignment.

Following the arrest warrant, Adeyemi was apprehended by the police and has remained in custody pending his arraignment.

Investigators had alleged that he operated the controversial PFIPC from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja before his arrest.

The police have also listed several witnesses they intend to call during the trial.

Among those expected to testify is the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Adeyemi’s Request

Following his arrest, Adeyemi approached the Federal High Court through his lawyers, asking for his immediate release from detention.

In the suit, he listed the AGF, Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police as the first to fourth respondents.

Adeyemi asked the court to admit him to bail and release him from police custody.

He also asked to be allowed to seek medical treatment from health professionals of his choice, citing alleged ill health.

Another relief sought was an order stopping the police or any other officers from interrogating him or compelling him to make, adopt or sign any statement except in the presence of his lawyer.

He further asked the court to guarantee him unrestricted access to his legal team at reasonable hours for as long as he remains in custody.

In an affidavit filed in support of the application, Adeyemi’s elder brother, Adeniyi Adebola, said the detainee could not attend before the commissioner for oaths because of his detention.

However, when the matter came up before Justice Egwuatu on Thursday, the judge ruled that the requests for bail, medical treatment and other major reliefs could not be determined without giving the respondents an opportunity to respond.

The court consequently refused to grant those reliefs at this stage.

Justice Egwuatu, however, granted the request for unhindered access to lawyers, directing the AGF and police to ensure that Adeyemi could meet with his legal representatives without obstruction.

The respondents are now expected to explain their position within 72 hours, with the matter adjourned until September 9.

Meanwhile, the criminal case before Justice Umar remains pending, with Adeyemi expected to face arraignment on September 30 over the allegations against him.