The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of posing as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, paving the way for his fresh arraignment before another court.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar struck out the case on Monday following an application by the Federal Government, which disclosed plans to prosecute Adeyemi before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented the application on behalf of the government, explaining that a review of the case file had revealed issues requiring the charges to be brought before a different court.
Oyedepo told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had examined the case, which was initially instituted by the Inspector-General of Police, and identified shortcomings in the existing charge.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences involving documents purportedly forged by Adeyemi while operating the disputed organisation fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
The prosecution further informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court, adding that the defendant would be “arraigned afresh without delay.”
Oyedepo consequently urged Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge to enable the government to proceed with the new prosecution.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application, clearing the way for the judge to grant the request and terminate the proceedings before the Federal High Court.
Adeyemi, 38, was standing trial in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025 alongside two other defendants identified only as Femi and Anu, who are reportedly at large.
The defendants faced an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery in connection with the alleged activities of the purported agency.
The striking out of the charge terminates the proceedings before the Federal High Court but does not amount to an acquittal, as the government intends to pursue the case through a fresh arraignment at the FCT High Court.
