Court Drops Charges Against Man Accused of Impersonating Government Agency
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charge on Monday, October 12, following an application by the prosecution seeking to discontinue proceedings at the Federal High Court and pursue the case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation had identified legal issues with the original charge. He explained that the alleged offences involving documents purportedly forged by Adeyemi fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
Oyedepo informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court and that Adeyemi would be arraigned again. Defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, did not oppose the application.
Adeyemi, 38, had been facing allegations bordering on conspiracy and forgery alongside two other defendants, identified only as Femi and Anu, whose whereabouts were unknown.
The case followed allegations that Adeyemi operated a purported government agency and used forged documents in connection with his claim to its leadership. The Presidency has disowned the council as a non-existent agency.
The striking out of the charge does not amount to an acquittal. The Federal Government says it intends to continue the prosecution through fresh proceedings before the FCT High Court.
