PFIPC Scandal: Court Returns Adeyemi’s Case File for Reassignment

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has returned the case file of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is facing charges over his alleged claim to be Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), for reassignment to another judge.

The case concerns a fundamental rights suit filed by Adeyemi, challenging his continued detention without trial and seeking his release on bail pending the determination of his criminal case.

Justice Egwuatu declined to proceed with the hearing on Thursday after finding that the 72 hours granted to the respondents to respond to Adeyemi’s application had not yet expired.

Adeyemi’s lawyer, Muhammad Abdulaziz, told the court that the respondents had been served and that his client was ready for the matter to proceed. However, counsel representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mercy Akeredolu, was absent, while other respondents were also not represented in court.

The court registrar confirmed that the respondents received the relevant order on September 8, while the hearing notice was served on September 9.

Justice Egwuatu questioned the timing of the service, noting that the respondents still had time to respond. He also raised concerns about the validity of the proof of service for the hearing notice and whether it had been properly sworn before a commissioner for oaths.

The judge subsequently held that the respondents had not exhausted the period granted to them to show cause. He therefore directed that the case file be returned to the registry for reassignment. He advised Adeyemi’s lawyer to return when the stipulated period had elapsed and the case was ready for hearing.

The development followed an earlier order directing the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation to explain within 72 hours why Adeyemi’s remaining requests should not be granted.

The court had already granted one of Adeyemi’s requests by ordering the authorities to give him access to lawyers of his choice at reasonable hours while in custody.

In his suit, Adeyemi sought six reliefs, including an order for his release, bail pending the conclusion of his case and access to medical practitioners of his choice. He also asked the court to stop the police from interrogating him or obtaining a statement from him without his lawyer present.

The court had earlier refused to grant the main reliefs on an ex parte basis, ruling that the respondents should first be allowed to respond.

Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant against him for repeatedly failing to appear for arraignment.

He faces an eight-count charge involving alleged forgery, fraud, and impersonation linked to his claim of being the PFIPC Director-General. The Presidency has disowned the organisation, describing it as fake.

Adeyemi is scheduled to be arraigned on September 30 following an earlier order by Justice Mohammed Umar directing security agencies to arrest him and bring him before the court after his repeated failure to appear for arraignment.