Daud Olatunji
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation to grant detained Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, unhindered access to his lawyers.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday while ruling on a fundamental rights suit filed by Adeyemi, who is being detained in connection with allegations of forgery, fraud and impersonation.
The court, however, declined to grant Adeyemi’s applications for immediate release, bail and access to medical treatment at this stage.
Instead, the judge directed the respondents to show cause within 72 hours why the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi should not be granted.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until September 9, when the respondents are expected to explain why the remaining reliefs should not be granted.
Adeyemi had filed the suit seeking six reliefs, including an order for his release from police custody and bail pending the determination of the case.
He also asked the court to allow him access to medical practitioners of his choice and restrain the police from interrogating him or obtaining a statement from him without his lawyer being present.
In the ex parte application, Adeyemi specifically asked the court to order that he be allowed “unimpeded access to legal practitioners of his own choosing at all reasonable hours” while in custody.
Justice Egwuatu granted that aspect of the application, directing that Adeyemi should be allowed to meet his lawyers at reasonable hours.
Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he failed to appear for arraignment.
He is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation over his claim to head the PFIPC, an organisation the Federal Government has said it does not recognise.
The prosecution alleges that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The prosecution also alleges that other official documents connected with his purported appointment were forged.
Adeyemi has denied the allegations and maintained that the council exists.
The legal battle comes against the backdrop of an investigation by an ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives into the PFIPC following the inclusion of the organisation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In its preliminary findings, the committee reportedly said it found no valid Act of the National Assembly or presidential order establishing the PFIPC.
The committee also said it found no evidence that Gbajabiamila signed the appointment letter allegedly issued to Adeyemi, describing the document as fabricated and falsely attributed to the Presidency.
The panel further reported that it uncovered 58 bank accounts and 12 agencies and entities allegedly linked to Adeyemi.
The court’s latest order does not determine the allegations against Adeyemi but guarantees him access to legal representation as the substantive issues surrounding his detention and the charges against him proceed.
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