The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged fake Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), paving the way for his fresh arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar struck out the charge on Monday following an application by the Federal Government, which said a review of the case had revealed issues requiring prosecution before a different court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, moved the application on behalf of the government, explaining that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had reviewed the case file and the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
According to Oyedepo, the review identified legal issues concerning the prosecution of documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi while operating the purported agency.
He told the court that the alleged offences fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.
The prosecution further informed the judge that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court and that Adeyemi would be arraigned afresh without delay.
Oyedepo consequently urged the court to strike out the existing charge to allow the case to proceed before the appropriate court.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application, prompting Justice Umar to strike out the eight-count charge.
Adeyemi, 38, had been facing trial alongside two other defendants identified only as Femi and Anu, whose whereabouts remain unknown. The charges bordered on conspiracy and forgery.
The case followed allegations that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, a purported government agency whose legitimacy came under scrutiny.
The Federal Government’s decision to pursue a fresh case means the allegations against Adeyemi remain unresolved, with further proceedings expected before the FCT High Court.
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