A 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 arraignment on charges of forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Justice Muhammed Umar issued the warrant on Tuesday following an oral application by the prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki, who informed the court that the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear despite several adjournments granted at his instance.
Recall that Adeyemi was scheduled to take his plea on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation. However, although the case was listed as number 12 on the court’s cause list, he was absent when the matter was called. His lawyer, Genesis Francis, was present and announced his appearance on behalf of the defendant.
Urging the court to issue a warrant of arrest, the prosecution argued that Adeyemi had consistently frustrated the commencement of the trial.
“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” Madaki told the court.
Relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution maintained that the defendant’s persistent absence justified the issuance of a bench warrant.
The application was opposed by the defence counsel, who attributed his client’s absence to alleged threats to his life.
Francis also reminded the court that Adeyemi had appeared for his arraignment on May 16, after which the matter was adjourned.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar held that the circumstances warranted the issuance of a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.
The judge observed that although the charge was filed on November 27, 2025, proceedings did not commence until December 4, 2025, and 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 stated.
The court consequently issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court on September 30 to face his arraignment on the eight-count charge.
