By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-couCourtnt criminal charge filed against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the 38-year-old alleged fake Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following the Federal Government’s decision to pursue a fresh prosecution before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar terminated the proceedings on Monday after the Federal Government applied to withdraw the charge, citing legal issues identified during a review of the case file and the original charges.
Moving the application, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had reviewed the case and discovered certain legal deficiencies.
Oyedepo explained that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi in connection with his purported operation of the agency fell within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the FCT rather than the Federal High Court.
He further informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court, where the defendant would be arraigned anew.
Consequently, the prosecution urged Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge to allow the case to proceed before the appropriate court.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), did not oppose the application.
Following the absence of any objection from the defence, Justice Umar granted the prosecution’s request and struck out the charge.
Adeyemi had been facing trial alongside two other defendants, identified as Femi, whose surname was not disclosed, and Anu, also without a disclosed surname. The two co-defendants were said to be at large.
The charges against the defendants bordered on conspiracy and forgery.
The case was registered as FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025.
The striking out of the charge at the Federal High Court does not, in itself, amount to an acquittal of Adeyemi, as the prosecution has indicated its intention to pursue a fresh case against him before the FCT High Court.
