The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Kristina Reports learnt that Adeyemi was apprehended on Tuesday by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from Abuja at his hideout in Osun State and is expected to be transferred to the Federal Capital Territory to face prosecution.
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the operation was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja.
“Yes, it is confirmed. The Intelligence Response Team from Abuja arrested him here in Osun,” Ojelabi said.
Adeyemi’s arrest followed his failure to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja for arraignment on charges bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
Justice Mohammed Umar had earlier issued a bench warrant for his arrest after rejecting arguments by his lawyer that he failed to appear in court because he feared for his safety.
The court held that the defendant must be compelled to appear and answer to the charges against him, before adjourning the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
According to the prosecution, Adeyemi allegedly operated the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has repeatedly stated does not exist.
He is also accused of forging several official government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to falsely present himself as the Director-General of the non-existent agency.
Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja while presenting the council as a legitimate Federal Government institution.
A video of the arrest, now circulating online, showed Adeyemi dressed in a light blue traditional outfit as he was surrounded by security operatives.
When asked to identify himself, he repeatedly declined to state his name despite repeated requests from the officers.
His arrest comes barely a day after he appeared on Channels Television, where he denied evading security agencies, insisting that he was not in hiding but feared for his life due to alleged threats.
He also maintained his claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment and called for an independent investigation into the matter.