Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the remand order on Wednesday after Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
At the commencement of proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had taken over the prosecution of the case from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Oyedepo told the court that while the Attorney-General’s office intended to review the case file, it would proceed with the existing eight-count charge against the defendant.
According to the charge sheet, Adeyemi is accused of forging a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and dated around March 2024. He is also alleged to have forged other official government documents, including State House letterheads.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendant falsely represented himself as a government appointee and operated from an office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.
The prosecution urged the court to remand the defendant, citing his previous failure to appear for arraignment, which had led to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
Counsel to the defendant, Genesis Francis, appealed for bail, informing the court that his client suffers from a contagious health condition and has a medical appointment scheduled for Friday.
However, the court declined to grant bail immediately, opting instead to fix a separate date to hear the application and deliver its ruling.
During the proceedings, Oyedepo called for an expedited hearing of the matter and assured the court that authorities at both the police and correctional facilities possess qualified medical personnel capable of attending to the defendant’s health needs while in custody.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the case until October 12 for the hearing and ruling on the bail application, as well as the commencement of trial.
