The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi before an FCT High Court in Abuja over allegations of forgery, impersonation and fraud involving a purported N30.8 billion funding request.
Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, appeared before Justice Halilu Yusuf at the Maitama court on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to all 22 counts.
The commission accused him of fabricating government documents to give the impression that the purported council was an established government agency, with the aim of securing official recognition, office accommodation and billions of naira in public funds.
According to the amended charges, Adeyemi allegedly requested more than N27 billion as a take-off grant for the council and an additional N3.8 billion for personnel expenses.
The prosecution also alleged that he used documents bearing the purported signature of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to support his claim to the position.
One of the charges concerns an alleged forged appointment letter dated March 8, 2024, with reference number SH/COS/209/A/3456. The ICPC said the document was intended to make his appointment appear legitimate and enable him to occupy office space at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja.
Other allegations include the fabrication of a letter addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation seeking approval for self-accounting status for the purported council, as well as correspondence to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency to obtain a domain name for the organisation.
The commission further accused Adeyemi of offering N210,000 to an Assistant Chief Technical Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Aminu Abdullahi, to facilitate the allocation of office space.
He was also alleged to have offered N300,000 to an official in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Ogaba Harry, to secure the release of two government vehicles — a Prado SUV and a Land Cruiser SUV.
In another count, the prosecution accused him of obtaining N20 million from the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Oyekunle Gbenga, under the guise of a project facilitation loan.
The money was allegedly linked to a N2.8 billion contract purportedly awarded by the council for the purchase of furniture and electronics, as well as the renovation of the director-general’s official residence.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred between 2024 and 2026 and were brought under provisions of the Penal Code, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Following Adeyemi’s plea, prosecution counsel, Fatima Bardi, asked the court to schedule the matter for trial so the commission could present its evidence.
However, defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, made an oral application for bail, citing his client’s prolonged detention and health concerns. He told the court that Adeyemi had spent 155 days in custody and had been receiving treatment at a police clinic, where a medical report was obtained.
Justice Yusuf directed the defence to submit a formal bail application before adjourning the case until November 9 for the commencement of trial and possible consideration of the bail request.
The latest arraignment followed the withdrawal of an earlier set of charges by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, on October 12 for amendment and refiling at the FCT High Court.
Adeyemi had initially appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 30, facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and impersonation.
The investigation reportedly began after Gbajabiamila petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service over the purported council and Adeyemi’s claim to head it.
Police investigations subsequently uncovered correspondence between the alleged agency and several government ministries, departments and agencies. Investigators also reportedly traced 34 bank accounts linked to its operations, including nine allegedly opened in the names of purported government agencies.
In July, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the council’s activities after the Presidency maintained that the Federal Government had never established the organisation and that it had no legal backing.
The investigation was also expected to examine the alleged use of forged documents, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds and possible involvement of public officers or other individuals.
Adeyemi has denied all the charges, and the allegations remain subject to proof before the court.
