The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, from his hideout in Osun State. The arrest followed a bench warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja after Adeyemi failed to appear for arraignment on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
Court Issues Bench Warrant for Adeyemi's Arrest
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued the bench warrant on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after granting an oral application by lead prosecutor Wisdom Madaki. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, centers on charges related to the operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, which the Presidency has repeatedly stated does not exist.
Adeyemi's legal counsel, Genesis Francis, opposed the arrest application, telling the court that his client had written to President Bola Tinubu over alleged threats to his life and wished to remain alive to defend himself. Justice Umar responded: "The court will help him be alive," before ordering the warrant. The case has been adjourned to September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
How Adeyemi Was Tracked Down in Osun
According to security sources cited by The Punch, a Department of State Services team had trailed Adeyemi for over a week before his eventual capture. Adeyemi reportedly switched off his mobile phones for approximately two days to evade detection. The DSS team eventually stepped back, allowing Police Intelligence Response Team operatives, led by CSP Moses Lohor, to take over the operation in Osun State.
A security source confirmed that Adeyemi was apprehended on Tuesday morning, July 14, 2026, and was immediately transported to Ibadan before being moved to Abuja. The source noted that the Osun State Police Command Commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, was only informed after the operation had concluded.
Police Confirm Arrest
Aminu Koji, Personal Assistant to the Force Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest in a brief statement: "We have just confirmed the arrest of Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi by a team of the Intelligence Response Team in Osun State. Thank you." Osun State Police Command spokesman Abiodun Ojelabi also confirmed the arrest but declined to provide further details.
Adeyemi had previously claimed he borrowed N400 million for his appointment as DG of the non-existent agency in President Tinubu's administration. His claims of bribery and allegations have sparked widespread debate about Nigeria's institutional integrity and accountability.
Adeyemi Urges Tinubu to Set Up Independent Panel
Earlier, Adeyemi wrote an open letter calling on President Tinubu to constitute an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel. He argued that the ICPC, which Tinubu directed to probe the PFIPC controversy, cannot credibly investigate a matter in which the government is a central party. He also raised fears for his personal safety, linking his concerns to the death and alleged demolition of a hotel connected to a key figure in the PFIPC case.
