The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Adeyemi was apprehended in Osun State on Tuesday after failing to appear before the court for his scheduled arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the bench warrant after the prosecution informed the court that the defendant was absent when the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, was called for hearing.

‘We Will Amend Electoral Act To Make Sure We Are Not Victims Of Our Actions’ – Akpabio

The prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki, urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Adeyemi over his failure to appear for arraignment.

Opposing the application, defence counsel, Genesis Francis, told the court that his client feared for his safety and had written to President Bola Tinubu over alleged threats to his life.

Francis argued that Adeyemi wished to remain alive to defend himself against the charges.

Responding to the submission, Justice Umar remarked, “The court will help him be alive,” before granting the prosecution’s request and ordering the defendant’s arrest.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for Adeyemi’s arraignment.

 Police Confirm Arrest In Osun

The Personal Assistant to the Force Public Relations Officer, Aminu Koji, confirmed that operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) carried out the arrest in Osun State.

“We have just confirmed the arrest of Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi by a team of the Intelligence Response Team in Osun State. Thank you,” Koji said in a brief statement.

A video circulated by TVC News also showed Adeyemi in police custody following the operation.

Security sources disclosed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had monitored Adeyemi for more than a week before the police eventually effected his arrest.

According to the sources, Adeyemi reportedly switched off his mobile phones for about two days, making it difficult for investigators to track his movements.

The DSS team later withdrew, after which the Police Intelligence Response Team continued surveillance and located him in Osun State.

The operation was reportedly led by CSP Moses Lohor, a former Commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Osun State Police Command.

A security source said Adeyemi was arrested on Tuesday morning and immediately transferred to Abuja.

“The arrest took place on Tuesday morning by the IRT squad, who immediately moved him to Abuja,” the source said.

“After he was arrested, he was taken to Ibadan and from there to Abuja.”

The source added that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, was informed after the operation had been concluded.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest but declined to provide additional details.

 Presidency Maintains PFIPC Is Non-Existent

The police had, on November 27, 2025, filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two other suspects identified only as Femi and Anu, who remain at large.

The defendants are accused of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation in connection with the operation of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has repeatedly stated was never established by the Federal Government.

Authorities have accused Adeyemi of allegedly forging appointment letters and official documents to present himself as the head of a non-existent government agency.

Adeyemi has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the council was legitimately established and that his appointment was valid.

The case is expected to resume before the Federal High Court on September 30, when the defendant is scheduled to be formally arraigned.