The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment.
Justice Muhammed Umar made the order following an oral application by police counsel, Wisdom Madaki.
Adeyemi is standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation. Although the matter was listed as number 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant was absent when the case was called, despite his counsel, Genesis Francis, announcing his appearance.
While moving the application, the prosecution told the court that the defendant had consistently failed to appear since the case was filed.
“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” the police lawyer lamented.
Madaki thereafter urged the court to issue a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest pursuant to Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The application was opposed by the defence counsel, who attributed his client’s absence to alleged threats to his life.
The defence lawyer also reminded the court that Adeyemi had appeared for his arraignment on May 16, when the matter was subsequently adjourned.
After considering the submissions of both parties, Justice Umar held that the prosecution’s application was deserving of the court’s approval.
The judge noted that although the charge was filed on November 27, 2025, proceedings did not commence until December 4, 2025.
He further observed that the defendant had appeared before the court only once since the case was instituted.
“Since then, he has failed to appear before this court on four consecutive dates,” Justice Umar added.
The court consequently issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court on September 30 for his arraignment.
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