Court strikes out Adeyemi’s PFIPC charge as FG moves case to FCT High Court

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged head of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, after the Federal Government sought to move the prosecution to the FCT High Court.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the application on Monday. Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, told the court that a fresh charge had already been filed at the FCT High Court and that Adeyemi would be arraigned there.

Oyedepo said a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation identified problems with the case initially filed by the police. He argued that the alleged document-forgery offences should be prosecuted at the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.

Adeyemi’s lawyer, Ibrahim Angulu, did not oppose the request to strike out the charge. The decision ended proceedings on that charge at the Federal High Court; the prosecution’s announced fresh case remains a separate proceeding.

NaijaTrend earlier reported Adeyemi’s arraignment here. He pleaded not guilty to the allegations, which include forgery and impersonation linked to the disputed agency.

Punch reported that Adeyemi was being prosecuted alongside two other defendants identified as Femi and Anu, whose surnames and whereabouts were unknown. The allegations have not been determined by a conviction in this proceeding.

Oyedepo told the court that Adeyemi would be arraigned afresh without delay. The reports did not specify a date for that arraignment.

Sources: Punch, Channels Television, Vanguard