The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count criminal charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of an allegedly fictitious government agency known as the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar discontinued the proceedings on Monday, October 12, 2026, following a request by the Federal Government to withdraw the case over concerns identified during a review of the prosecution's file.
The government's decision was communicated to the court by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who explained that the Attorney-General of the Federation had examined the case and identified issues requiring a change in the prosecution's approach.
Oyedepo informed the court that the government intended to pursue the allegations before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where Adeyemi would face a fresh arraignment.
According to the prosecution, the documents allegedly falsified by the defendant in connection with the disputed agency could form the basis of proceedings before the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.
The request to discontinue the existing case was not challenged by Adeyemi's lawyer, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN.
Following the application, Justice Umar struck out the charge, bringing the proceedings before the Federal High Court to an end.
The development does not amount to an acquittal of Adeyemi or a judicial determination that the allegations against him were unfounded. The government has indicated its intention to initiate fresh proceedings in another court.
The criminal case had initially been instituted by the Nigeria Police Force before the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation assumed responsibility for the prosecution at an earlier court sitting.
Adeyemi had faced allegations involving document forgery, fraud and impersonation arising from his purported leadership of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation whose legitimacy was questioned by investigators.
He was arrested on July 14, 2026, following a bench warrant issued by the court.
After his arraignment, Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to the allegations, prompting the court to order his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
During the case, the defendant sought bail on medical grounds, telling the court that he was suffering from a contagious illness requiring urgent attention from his doctors.
His legal team urged the court to consider his health condition when determining whether he should remain in custody.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the government had sufficient medical facilities to address his healthcare needs while in detention.
However, the court did not proceed with the scheduled consideration of the bail request because the prosecution withdrew the criminal charge.
Several individuals had previously been identified as potential witnesses in the case, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Others listed to testify were Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede and Ituah Sylvester.
The proposed witnesses also included two civil servants attached to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Their inclusion in the witness list formed part of the prosecution's preparations before the Federal Government decided to discontinue the proceedings at the Federal High Court.
The latest ruling leaves the allegations unresolved, with further legal action dependent on the government's planned filing of a fresh case before the FCT High Court.
Adeyemi continues to deny the criminal allegations against him, having entered a plea of not guilty during the proceedings that have now been discontinued.