Court strikes out fake DG’s 8-count charge, orders fresh arraignment
By Dally Iyamu
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of posing as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The judge terminated the trial on Monday following an application by the Federal Government, which said Adeyemi would be transferred to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for fresh arraignment.
At Monday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, moved an application seeking the termination of the charges.
Oyedepo told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had reviewed the case file and the charges instituted by the Inspector-General of Police and discovered certain loopholes.
He explained that some of the documents Adeyemi allegedly forged while operating the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.
The DPPF further informed the court that a fresh charge had been filed before the FCT High Court, adding that Adeyemi would be arraigned afresh without delay.
He consequently urged Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge in accordance with the law.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application.
Consequently, Justice Umar granted the request and struck out the charge.
Adeyemi, 38, had been standing trial alongside two other defendants, whose whereabouts were said to be unknown, over allegations bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two other defendants, identified as Femi, whose surname was not disclosed, and Anu, whose surname was also not disclosed, were said to be at large.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was filed against the defendants by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation.
