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ABUJA – Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director- General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has been arrested in Osun State by Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) operatives.
Adeyemi, who had been the subject of an intensive manhunt by security agencies, was apprehended following intelligence-led operations weeks after investigations into allegations about the purported federal agency’s activities.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the suspect was arrested without incident by a team of IRT operatives and has been moved into police custody for further interrogation.
He confirmed the arrest in Abuja. His arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by security operatives, who had earlier raided his family residence while tracking his whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators questioned his family members during the search for the suspect.
Adeyemi came into national prominence after controversy erupted over the operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation widely described by government officials as having no legal backing or official recognition.
Earlier, a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the arrest of the embattled self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he failed to appear before Justice Umar Mohammad of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Embattled Adeyemi was expected to take his plea before Justice Mohammed Umar on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/ CR/562/2025, was listed for hearing, but the defendant was absent when the matter was called.
The court issued a warrant after he failed to appear in person.
The charges, filed by police prosecutor, Wisdom Madaki, on November 27, 2025, also involve two other defendants.
Among the prosecution witnesses expected to testify during the trial are the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, two officials of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Adeyemi’s absence came barely a day after he publicly denied reports that he was hiding from security agencies.
Daily Independent recall that on Monday, he claimed he had withdrawn from public view because his life was under threat. “I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger,” he said. There have been several attempts on my life.”
He also repeated his allegation that he paid N400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as director-general of the disputed council.
According to him, the individuals from whom he borrowed the money have since petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the transaction.
The police had earlier disclosed that investigations into the PFIPC scandal began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over the circulation of forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the office.
Investigators alleged that the forged documents contained fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian coat of arms and were used to create the impression that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was a legitimate Federal Government agency.
He insisted that the PFIPC exists and has called for an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the agency and its reported N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, he requested the constitution of a multi-stakeholder investigative panel comprising representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, independent media organisations, international financial institutions, human rights groups, diplomatic missions, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, and the EFCC.
He also pledged to provide documentary evidence and cooperate fully with investigators if such a panel is established, maintaining that his decision to remain out of the public eye was influenced by alleged threats to his safety and the controversial death of Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the alleged criminal matter.
