PFIPC Controversy: Adeyemi Arrested In Osun After Court Issues Bench Warrant Over Alleged Forgery Charges

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.

Adeyemi was arrested following an intelligence-led operation by the police team after weeks of efforts to locate him amid ongoing investigations into allegations surrounding the activities of the purported organisation.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, confirmed the arrest, stating that Adeyemi was apprehended without incident by IRT operatives and taken into police custody for further questioning.

The police spokesperson disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

The arrest came after coordinated operations by security personnel, including earlier efforts to track Adeyemi’s whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators had visited his family residence during the search for the suspect and made inquiries as part of the investigation.

Adeyemi became the subject of public attention following controversies surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation that government officials have said had no legal recognition or approval as a Federal Government agency.

The controversy surrounding the group intensified after allegations emerged that Adeyemi presented himself as a government-backed official and claimed links with influential figures within the Presidency.

The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had previously distanced itself from the organisation, stating that neither the Presidency nor his office authorised the activities of the group.

The matter also attracted scrutiny following allegations that some individuals may have paid money in connection with promises of government appointments through the purported council. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not been established in court.

Police investigators are expected to question Adeyemi on the circumstances surrounding the creation and operations of the organisation, the authenticity of documents allegedly associated with the group, and claims that individuals were misled into believing it was an official government body.

The investigation will also seek to determine whether other persons were involved and whether offences such as impersonation, forgery, obtaining by false pretence or conspiracy were committed.

Adeyemi had earlier denied wrongdoing, insisting that the PFIPC was not a fictitious organisation. He had also claimed that he stayed away from public view because of concerns for his safety and expressed readiness to defend himself with relevant documents.

His arrest comes shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his failure to appear for arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

The court had directed security agencies to produce him for arraignment after the prosecution complained that repeated adjournments had delayed proceedings.

Adeyemi is expected to remain in police custody as investigations continue, with authorities expected to determine the next legal steps in the matter.