Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of creating and operating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that Adeyemi was brought before Justice Mohammed Umar and pleaded not guilty to all eight charges filed against him by the government. The charges border on forgery, impersonation and related offences.
The case stems from allegations that Adeyemi presented himself as the director-general of the PFIPC and falsely claimed that the organisation was established by the federal government.
The government has maintained that the PFIPC was never created by any law, executive order, presidential approval or other valid government instrument. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which investigated the matter on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution over alleged forgery and impersonation.
According to findings earlier reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Adeyemi allegedly used official-looking documents and correspondence to give the purported agency legitimacy. The organisation secured office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and gained access to some government institutions despite not being a recognised federal agency.
ICPC also found that the purported agency had obtained access to bank accounts and other government processes. Investigators subsequently identified other organisations allegedly created by Adeyemi, with some accounts linked to him through bank verification details.
The House of Representatives committee investigating the scandal also reported that about 58 bank accounts were linked to Adeyemi and that documents, names and identities of senior government officials were allegedly used to give the purported agency legitimacy. The committee said its findings were based on testimonies, documents, financial records and submissions from government institutions and other parties.
Adeyemi has denied wrongdoing and maintained that he is innocent. He is now expected to defend himself against the allegations in court.
