The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count forgery charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the alleged “non-existent” Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar ended the case on Monday after the Federal Government asked the court to withdraw the charges. The government was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Although the police initially filed the case, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) took over the prosecution at the last adjourned sitting.
Oyedepo told the court that a review of the case file revealed loopholes that led the AGF to withdraw the charge. He said the government planned to take the case to the FCT High Court for a fresh arraignment, adding that the alleged forged documents could be prosecuted there rather than at the Federal High Court.
Adeyemi’s lawyer, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the request.
Adeyemi has been in detention since July 14, when he was arrested under a bench warrant. He faced charges of forgery, fraud and impersonation and was remanded at Kuje Prison after pleading not guilty.
He later sought bail, citing a contagious illness that required urgent medical attention. The prosecution opposed his request, saying the government had facilities to meet his health needs. The planned bail hearing could not proceed after the charge was withdrawn.
Those listed as witnesses included Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, OAGF civil servants Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
