Self-styled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear for arraignment.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday after granting an oral application by the prosecution, following the defendant’s absence in court for his scheduled arraignment.
During the proceedings, Adeyemi’s lawyer urged the court not to issue a warrant, arguing that his client stayed away because he feared for his life.
The defence counsel told the court that Adeyemi had written to President Bola Tinubu expressing concerns over his safety and wanted to remain alive to face trial and defend himself against the allegations.
Justice Umar rejected the explanation, holding that the defendant had no justification for disobeying the court’s summons. In response to the claim that Adeyemi feared for his life, the judge remarked that the court would “help him to be alive.”
The court thereafter issued a bench warrant directing law enforcement agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court.
Adeyemi was subsequently arrested by security operatives.
The court adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for his arraignment.
Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge bordering on the alleged establishment and operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The Presidency has maintained that the PFIPC is neither a recognised government agency nor a legally established institution, forming the basis of the charges against the defendant.
He is expected to be arraigned on the next adjourned date following his arrest.
