The Nigeria Police Force has arrested the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear for arraignment.
The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, who disclosed that operatives of the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja apprehended Adeyemi at his hideout in the 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.
A video circulating on social media showed Adeyemi, dressed in a light blue traditional outfit, surrounded by security operatives during the arrest. In the footage, he initially declined to identify himself before eventually responding after repeated requests by the officers.
The arrest followed Monday’s ruling by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who ordered Adeyemi’s arrest after he failed to appear in court to take his plea on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force.
The court granted the prosecution’s oral application for a bench warrant after dismissing the defence’s argument that the defendant stayed away because he feared for his life.
Justice Umar held that Adeyemi must appear in person to answer the charges and adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for his arraignment.
The police accused Adeyemi of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation, alleging that he operated the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has maintained does not exist.
Investigators further alleged that he forged official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly bearing the signature of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council while operating from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
Barely 24 hours before his arrest, Adeyemi had denied reports that he was evading security agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he said, “I am not in hiding,” while claiming that he feared for his life because of alleged threats against him.
He also repeated his allegation that he paid N400m through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council and called for an independent investigation into the controversy.
According to the police, Adeyemi faces charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. If convicted on the forgery-related charges, he could face up to 21 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.
