The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the self-styled Director-General (DG) of an alleged “non-existent” Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar issued the arrest order following an oral application made by the police lawyer, Mr. Wisdom Madaki.
Adeyemi was billed to take his plea on an eight-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation preferred against him by the federal government.
Although the matter was listed as number 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant failed to appear for his arraignment, even though a lawyer, Mr. Genesis Francis, announced his appearance on his behalf.
Shortly after the case was called, the prosecution counsel informed the court that, the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear for his trial.
“My lord, this is the 5th time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” the police lawyer told the court.
Consequently, relying on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution counsel urged the court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant.
The application was immediately opposed by the counsel for the defendant, who blamed his client’s absence in court on alleged threats to his life.
The defence lawyer drew the court’s attention to the fact that his client was present for his arraignment on May 16, which he said the case was later adjourned.
“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 submitted.
In a short ruling after listening to both lawyers, Justice Umar said he was minded to accede to the application for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the defendant.
The court said, the case was filed on November 27, 2025, but proceedings did not commence until December 4, 2025, noting that, since the charge was filed, the defendant had appeared before the court only once.
“Since then, he has failed to appear before this court on four consecutive dates,” Justice Umar added and proceeded to issue a warrant mandating security agencies to arrest and produce the defendant before the court on September 30, 2026 for arraignment.
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