Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of the alleged “fake Director-General” of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, at the Kuje, Abuja, Correctional Centre.
Justice Umar gave the order after Adeyemi had pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge preferred against him bordering on alleged conspiracy and forgery.
The charges were brought against Adeyemi and two other defendants, who werere said to be at large.
Following his plea, the prosecution, led by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), requested an accelerated hearing of the case for its speedy determination.
The prosecution also urged the court to remand Adeyemi in custody pending the determination of the case.
However, his defence counsel, Genesis Francis, asked the court to hear his client’s bail application on Wednesday.
Francis told the court that his client has a medical appointment on Friday for an unspecified ailment which, according to him, is contagious.
Responding, lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said the police have qualified medical personnel capable of attending to Adeyemi’s condition, adding that medical facilities are also available at the Correctional Centre.
The Judge, however, declined to hear the bail application on Wednesday, citing the volume of matters set down before the court for the day.
Justice Umar subsequently ordered that Adeyemi should remain in custody and adjourned the case until October 12, 2026 for hearing of the bail application and the substantive suit.
Adeyemi is at the centre of the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, which authorities have alleged was not a legally established government agency.
The Presidency has said the council was never established by law, executive order, presidential instrument or other lawful government act.
The controversy arose from Adeyemi’s claim to have served as the council’s Director-General.
Following scrutiny of the council, Adeyemi allegedly claimed that his appointment was “purchased”, alleging that he paid ₦400 million through a middleman as part of a ₦600 million arrangement to secure the position. Adeyemi has also made allegations concerning Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, which the Presidency has rejected.
The matter has also led to a ₦15 billion lawsuit filed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against Adeyemi over alleged bribery.
During a legislative probe, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation admitted that government documents were not properly verified, while the House of Representatives uncovered what it described as a wider network involving 12 additional alleged fake government agencies, 58 bank accounts and 39 government insiders.
Following a directive by President Bola Tinubu on July 7, 2026, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was given 30 days to investigate the council.
ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu presented its report on the PFIPC probe to President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The ICPC subsequently said Adeyemi’s appointment letter was fraudulent and did not originate from the Presidency. The commission also said its investigation established that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government or any government authority and that the PFIPC was not created by any law, Executive Order or valid government instrument.
Adeyemi later went into hiding but was arrested by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Osun State.
The ICPC submitted its interim report in August 2026 and recommended his prosecution. The commission said its findings supported prosecution for alleged offences including forgery, impersonation and related offences.
