The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, a 45-year-old man, for allegedly impersonating the Director General of the Private and Financial Institutions Protection Committee (PFIPC). The suspect was apprehended in Abuja on July 12, 2026, following a tip-off from vigilant members of the public.
Details of the Arrest
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police acted on credible intelligence that Adeyemi had been parading himself as the DG of PFIPC, a non-existent government agency, to defraud unsuspecting victims. Items recovered from him include a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV with fake number plates, several documents bearing the PFIPC logo, and a fake appointment letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“The suspect has been on the radar of the police for some time. He is believed to have defrauded multiple victims of sums ranging from N500,000 to N5 million under the guise of facilitating appointments and contracts with the PFIPC,” Adejobi stated.
Modus Operandi
Investigations revealed that Adeyemi operated a sophisticated network, using fake office addresses and a cloned website to lend credibility to his scheme. He targeted business owners and job seekers, demanding payment for registration fees, processing charges, and bribes. The PFIPC, which does not exist in any official government record, was presented as a committee under the Central Bank of Nigeria, but the CBN has disowned the entity.
One victim, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “He showed me an office in a highbrow area of Abuja and even introduced me to someone he claimed was a CBN director. I paid him N1.2 million for a contract to supply office furniture. It was only when I called the CBN that I realized it was a scam.”
Police Investigation and Charges
The police have launched a full-scale investigation to identify other members of the syndicate and recover more proceeds of crime. Adeyemi is currently in custody at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation. He faces charges of impersonation, fraud, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
CSP Adejobi warned the public to be wary of individuals or groups claiming to represent non-existent government agencies. “We urge citizens to verify the authenticity of any government body by contacting the relevant ministries or the police before making any payments,” he added.
Impact and Public Advisory
The arrest has brought relief to many who were duped by the suspect. The police have recovered a list of over 50 potential victims, many of whom are yet to come forward. The Force encourages anyone who may have been defrauded by Adeyemi or his accomplices to report to the nearest police station.
This incident highlights the growing trend of impersonation of government officials for financial gain. The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to tackling such crimes and ensuring that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
