The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi afresh on a 22-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and other related offences before an FCT High Court in Abuja.
Adeyemi, who is accused of falsely parading himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The fresh arraignment followed the striking out of an earlier eight-count charge against him by a Federal High Court in Abuja on October 12, after the Federal Government sought to discontinue the proceedings based on a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, had informed the court that the review established that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
In the fresh charge, the ICPC accused Adeyemi of forging a letter dated March 8, 2024, purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appointing him as Director-General of the PFIPC.
He was also accused of forging documents addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation and the National Information Technology Development Agency to secure official recognition and operational privileges for the purported council.
The commission further alleged that Adeyemi used forged documents to request more than 27 billion naira from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy for the establishment of the agency, as well as 3.8 billion naira for personnel expenses.
Other counts accused him of offering 210,000 naira to an official of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to facilitate the allocation of office accommodation without authorisation.
He was equally accused of giving 300,000 naira to an official in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President to facilitate the release of a Prado SUV and a Land Cruiser.
The ICPC also alleged that Adeyemi obtained 20 million naira from the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Oyekunle Gbenga, under the pretence of a project facilitation loan for a purported 2.8-billion-naira contract to furnish and renovate the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General.
The alleged offences reportedly occurred between 2024 and 2026 and are punishable under relevant provisions of the Penal Code, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
Adeyemi has denied the allegations and separately accused Gbajabiamila of collecting 400 million naira through a proxy in connection with his purported appointment. The allegation remains unsubstantiated.
Following his plea, ICPC counsel, Fatima Bardi, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, made an oral application for bail, which Justice Halilu Yusuf directed him to formalise through a written application.
Angulu also appealed for an early hearing, citing his client’s prolonged detention and health concerns. He told the court that Adeyemi had spent 155 days in detention and possessed a medical report from the police clinic where he received treatment.
The court adjourned the case until November 9 for trial and possible hearing of the bail application.
