A fundamental rights suit filed by Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), was stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday over a defective proof of service.
Gatekeepers News reports that Adeyemi is seeking an order for his release from police custody, bail and permission to obtain medical treatment from healthcare providers of his choice. He is also asking the court to prevent the police and other security agents from interrogating him or compelling him to make or sign any statement without his lawyer present.
The suit was filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Nigeria Police Force and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police as the first to fourth respondents.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Ademola Oyedokun appeared for Adeyemi, while Mercy Akeredolu represented the AGF. No counsel appeared for the police.
Oyedokun told the court that the matter was scheduled for the respondents to show cause why Adeyemi’s requested reliefs should not be granted. He maintained that the respondents had been served and that the case was ready to proceed.
However, after examining the court processes, Justice Obiora Egwuatu observed that the proof of service had not been sworn before a commissioner for oaths. The judge consequently described the document as “incompetent.”
When the defective document was shown to Adeyemi’s lawyer, Oyedokun acknowledged the problem and requested a short adjournment to correct it.
Justice Egwuatu, however, noted that the respondents were still within the period allowed to respond to the order to show cause, which had only been served on September 8. He also observed that the court’s vacation was nearing its end and directed that the case file be returned to the registry for reassignment.
At an earlier hearing on September 3, the judge had declined to grant Adeyemi’s request for bail and medical treatment without first hearing from the respondents. The court, however, ordered the police to give him unhindered access to his lawyers.
Adeyemi remains in police custody in connection with a separate criminal case in which he faces allegations including forgery and impersonation. A judge had issued a warrant for his arrest in July after he failed to appear for scheduled proceedings and subsequently fixed September 30 for his arraignment.
Prosecutors allege that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, among other official documents. Adeyemi has denied the allegations and maintained that the council exists.
