Police Arrest Self-Styled Presidential Agency DG After Court Issues Warrant
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Confirming the development on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja apprehended Adeyemi at his hideout in the state.
According to Ojelabi, the suspect is expected to be transferred to Abuja to face prosecution.
A video circulating online showed Adeyemi, dressed in a light blue traditional outfit, surrounded by security operatives during the arrest. When questioned by officers, he repeatedly declined to state his name, insisting he had already done so.
The arrest followed an order by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja after Adeyemi failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment over an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
The prosecution had informed the court that Adeyemi allegedly operated the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has consistently maintained does not exist.
Rejecting arguments from the defendant’s counsel that his client stayed away from court because he feared for his safety, Justice Umar ordered his arrest and adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The arrest comes just a day after Adeyemi denied reports that he was evading security agencies. During an interview on Channels Television, he insisted he was not in hiding but feared for his life, claiming there had been several attempts to kill him.
He also repeated allegations that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council and called for an independent investigation into the matter.
Police investigators accused Adeyemi of forging several government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. He is also accused of falsely presenting himself as the head of the council and operating from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
If found guilty, Adeyemi could face up to 21 years in prison on the forgery charges, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.
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