Police Arrest Self-Styled PFIPC Director-General in Osun Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.

Adeyemi’s arrest came hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his failure to appear for arraignment on criminal charges.

Confirming the development on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from the Force Headquarters in Abuja apprehended the suspect at his hideout in Osun State.

“Yes, it is confirmed. The Intelligence Response Team from Abuja arrested him here in Osun,” Ojelabi said, adding that the suspect would be transferred to Abuja for further investigation and prosecution.

A video of the operation showed Adeyemi, dressed in a light blue traditional outfit, surrounded by security operatives. He appeared calm during the arrest but declined to clearly identify himself when questioned by the officers.

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had earlier ordered Adeyemi’s arrest after he failed to appear in court to answer an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

The court granted an oral application by the prosecution seeking a bench warrant after rejecting the defence’s submission that the defendant stayed away from court because he feared for his safety.

Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for Adeyemi’s arraignment.

In a television interview on Monday, Adeyemi denied allegations that he was evading arrest, insisting that he had remained out of public view because of threats to his life.

“I am ready to show my face. I am not hiding. I am only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger. There have been several attempts on my life,” he said.

He also reiterated his claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the PFIPC and called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged appointment.

According to police investigators, Adeyemi allegedly forged several government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter said to have been signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, in an attempt to portray the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council as a legitimate Federal Government agency.

The police further alleged that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.

Investigators said the offences of forgery, if proven, attract a maximum prison sentence of 21 years without the option of a fine, while the charge of impersonation carries a prison term of up to three years or a fine upon conviction.