By Theophilus Adedokun

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC), after he failed to honour the court’s summons.

Muhammed Umar issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday after Genesis Francis, his lawyer, told the court he had been unable to persuade his client to attend the proceedings.

The warrant was issued in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026 between Adeyemi and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Also listed as defendants simply identified as Femi and Anu, who are said to be at large.

Umar said the charges against Adeyemi were filed on November 27, 2025, while proceedings began on December 4, 2025.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 30.

Earlier, Francis told the court that Adeyemi, in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, said he feared for his life because the subject of the case had become a matter of national discussion.

However, Wisdom Madaki, the prosecution counsel, dismissed the explanation, arguing that the matter had already been adjourned five times at the defendant’s request.

Madaki urged the court to issue a bench warrant under section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

He told the court that Adeyemi had appeared only once since the charges were filed and had failed to attend four subsequent sittings despite repeated adjournments.

BACKGROUND

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In June, the presidency distanced itself from the PFIPC, insisting that it does not exist under the current administration.

In a statement, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, said his office did not appoint Adeyemi to any position in the organisation.

However, at a press conference on June 26, Adeyemi questioned the statement issued by Gbajabiamila in which the chief of staff said the PFIPC does not exist under the Tinubu administration.

Adeyemi questioned how the PFIPC allegedly appeared in the 2026 budget if, as maintained by the presidency, the body does not exist.

He alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment.

He also called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary, and alleged that attempts had been made on his life.

On July 1, the presidency said the police had filed an eight-count criminal charge against Adeyemi over the controversy trailing the agency.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the charges were filed on November 27, 2025 against Adeyemi and two accomplices at the federal high court in Abuja.

Onanuga added that Gbajabimila told security agencies that forged appointment letters bearing his signature, reference numbers and official seals were being used to legitimise the fictitious agency.

Onanuga relayed that the police arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025, and recovered forged documents during searches of his office and residence.

Source: TheCable