PFIPC scandal: How we arrested ‘fake’ DG, Adeyemi in Osun — Police

The Osun State Police Command has explained how its officers arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in a village in Ijesaland, Osun State.

The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, saying Adeyemi had already been handed over to security operatives and was being taken to Abuja.

His arrest came hours after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant against him.

It was gathered that operatives of the Force Headquarters’ Federal Investigation Department/Intelligence Response Team (FID/IRT) stormed his hideout in Osun and arrested him.

Security sources said the operation was led by Moses Lohor, while the Department of State Services (DSS) had tracked Adeyemi for five days before the case was handed over to the police special unit.

Before his arrest, Justice Umar had ordered Adeyemi’s arrest after he failed to appear in court to take his plea on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Although his lawyer, Genesis Francis, appeared in court, the prosecution said the defendant had repeatedly failed to attend proceedings.

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“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, told the court.

The prosecution then asked the court to issue a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest under Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The defence opposed the application, saying Adeyemi stayed away because of threats to his life.

“Since then, this case has become a matter of public importance, and there have been many threats to his life.

“The defendant is afraid for his life. He has to be alive to be able to face trial. They have been looking for him, even without an order of court,” Francis added.

After hearing both sides, Justice Umar granted the application and directed security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him in court on September 30 for arraignment.

Among those expected to testify are the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhuede, Ituah Sylvester, two officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balogun, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

An interim police investigation report alleged that Adeyemi forged appointment letters and official documents to make the PFIPC appear to be a legitimate Federal Government agency.

Police said the investigation began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over the activities of people allegedly forging official appointment letters from the office.

The petition said the forged documents contained fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, and were allegedly used to appoint people into the non-existent PFIPC. Police also alleged that Adeyemi presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office inside the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja.

One of those linked to the alleged fraud, Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, was reported to have died in a hotel fire in Abuja.

Meanwhile, Tribune Online earlier reported that Adeyemi had denied claims that the PFIPC was non-existent and called for an independent multi-stakeholder panel to investigate the alleged N1.3 billion budget insertion for the council in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, Adeyemi said he was ready to provide documentary evidence and fully cooperate with investigators once an independent panel was set up.

He also recommended that the panel should include representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), independent media organisations, international financial institutions, human rights groups, diplomatic missions, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).