Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), on 22 counts of alleged forgery and impersonation before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that Adeyemi was arraigned on Thursday following the withdrawal of an earlier charge against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 12.
The earlier proceedings were discontinued after the Federal Government reviewed the case and determined that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
According to the fresh charge, the ICPC accused Adeyemi of forging a letter purportedly signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, appointing him as director-general of the council.
The commission also alleged that Adeyemi forged documents, including an executive order purportedly establishing the agency, to present it as a legitimate government institution and gain access to public facilities and official processes.
The 22-count charge further accused him of obtaining more than ₦27 billion to establish the purported agency and ₦3.8 billion for personnel costs through allegedly forged documents submitted to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Other allegations included giving ₦210,000 to an official in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to facilitate the allocation of office space and ₦300,000 to another government official to facilitate the release of two official vehicles.
ICPC also accused Adeyemi of obtaining ₦20 million from Oyekunle Gbenga, managing director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, under the pretext of a project facilitation loan connected to a purported ₦2.8 billion contract for furnishing and renovating the official residence of the council’s director-general.
Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to all 22 counts.
Following his plea, ICPC counsel, Fatima Bardi, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, made an oral application for bail, but the presiding judge, Halilu Yusuf, directed him to file a written application.
Angulu subsequently requested an early hearing, citing his client’s prolonged detention and health concerns. He told the court that Adeyemi had spent 155 days in custody and had received treatment at a police clinic.
The judge adjourned the case until November 9 for the commencement of trial and possible consideration of the bail application.
Adeyemi has denied the allegations against him.
