Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, over claims of forgery, impersonation and fraud involving a proposed N30.8bn government funding request.

Adeyemi appeared before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to all 22 counts filed against him.

The commission accused him of using forged government documents to present the purported council as a legitimate federal agency and secure official recognition, office accommodation and public funds.

According to the amended charges, Adeyemi allegedly requested more than N27bn as a take-off grant for the council and an additional N3.8bn for personnel expenses.

The ICPC further alleged that he used documents bearing the purported signature of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to support his claim to the position of director-general.

One of the charges accused Adeyemi of forging an appointment letter dated March 8, 2024, with reference number SH/COS/209/A/3456. The prosecution said the document was intended to enable him to obtain office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja.

He was also accused of forging a letter addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation seeking approval for the purported council to operate a self-accounting system.

Another allegation involved correspondence allegedly sent to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency to secure a domain name for the purported agency.

The commission also accused Adeyemi of offering N210,000 to an Assistant Chief Technical Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Aminu Abdullahi, to facilitate the allocation of office space.

In a separate count, he allegedly offered N300,000 to an official in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Ogaba Harry, to facilitate the release of two government vehicles, a Prado SUV and a Land Cruiser SUV.

The prosecution further alleged that Adeyemi collected N20m from the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Oyekunle Gbenga, under the guise of a project facilitation loan.

The money was allegedly connected to a purported N2.8bn contract awarded by the council for the purchase of furniture and electronic equipment, as well as the renovation of the director-general’s official residence.

The alleged offences were said to have occurred between 2024 and 2026 and contravened provisions of the Penal Code, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Following Adeyemi’s plea, the prosecution counsel, Fatima Bardi, asked the court to schedule the case for trial so the commission could present its evidence.

However, defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), made an oral application for bail, arguing that his client had been in detention for 155 days and had health concerns.

Angulu told the court that Adeyemi had been receiving treatment at a police clinic and had obtained a medical report.

Justice Halilu Yusuf directed the defence to file a formal bail application before the court.

The judge adjourned the matter until November 9 for the commencement of trial and possible consideration of the bail request.

The latest arraignment followed the withdrawal of an earlier set of charges by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, on October 12 for amendment and refiling.

Adeyemi had initially appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 30, facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and impersonation.

The investigation reportedly followed a petition by Gbajabiamila to the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service over the purported council and Adeyemi’s claim to head it.

Police investigations allegedly uncovered correspondence between the purported agency and several government ministries, departments and agencies. Investigators also reportedly traced 34 bank accounts linked to its operations, including nine allegedly opened in the names of purported government agencies.

In July, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the council’s activities. The Presidency had maintained that the Federal Government never established the organisation and that it had no legal basis.

The investigation was also expected to examine the alleged use of forged documents, the operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds and possible involvement of public officers or other individuals.

Adeyemi has denied the charges, and the allegations remain before the court.