The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Adeyemi was reportedly apprehended at his hideout in Osun by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from Force Headquarters, Abuja, and is expected to be transferred to the Federal Capital Territory for further investigation and prosecution.
Confirming the arrest, a police source said the operation was carried out by the Abuja-based Intelligence Response Team.
“Yes, it is confirmed. The Intelligence Response Team from Abuja arrested him here in Osun,“ the source said.
A video circulating online showed Adeyemi dressed in a light blue traditional outfit and surrounded by armed security operatives during the arrest.
In the footage, he appeared calm but visibly tense as officers questioned him. When asked to identify himself, Adeyemi initially declined to state his name directly.
“I’ve mentioned it, sir,” he replied.
The officers, however, insisted that he identify himself.
“Mention it for us, please. What is your name?” one of the officers asked.
Adeyemi responded, “I’ve said it several times.”
His arrest followed an order issued earlier on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, directing security agencies to arrest him after he failed to appear for arraignment on charges bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
The arrest came barely a day after Adeyemi dismissed reports that he was evading security agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he maintained that he was not in hiding.
“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I only fear 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 disputed council and called for an independent investigation into the matter.
The police accused Adeyemi of forging several official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, along with other government documents allegedly used to portray the PFIPC as a legitimate federal agency.
Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
According to the charges, if convicted of the forgery-related offences, Adeyemi could face up to 21 years’imprisonment without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge attracts a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment or a fine
