ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count forgery charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of the allegedly non-existent Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Justice Mohammed Umar terminated further proceedings in the case on Monday following an application by the Federal Government, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

The application followed a review of the case file by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), which reportedly identified legal and procedural issues that informed the government's decision to withdraw the charge.

Addressing the court, Oyedepo explained that the Federal Government intended to transfer the case to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for a fresh arraignment of the defendant.

He also argued that the alleged forged documents involved in the case could be prosecuted before the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.

Adeyemi's counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the prosecution's application to strike out the charge.

The court subsequently struck out the case, bringing the proceedings before it to an end.

How The Case Started

The charge was initially instituted by the police before the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the prosecution at the previous adjourned sitting.

Adeyemi was arraigned on allegations relating to forgery, fraud and impersonation. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He had been in detention since July 14, following his arrest on the strength of a bench warrant issued by the court. After his arraignment, the court ordered that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The defendant subsequently sought bail, telling the court that he was suffering from a contagious illness that required urgent medical attention from his personal doctors.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the government had adequate facilities to address his medical needs while in custody.

The court had scheduled proceedings on the bail application, but the hearing was overtaken by the prosecution's decision to withdraw the charge.

Presidential Aides Listed As Proposed Witnesses

Several individuals had earlier been listed as potential witnesses in the case, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Other proposed witnesses included Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede and Ituah Sylvester.

Civil servants from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, were also listed, alongside a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Their proposed testimony was expected to form part of the prosecution's case had the proceedings continued before the Federal High Court.

Fresh Legal Battle May Follow

Although the Federal High Court has struck out the charge before it, the prosecution's announcement that it intends to pursue a fresh arraignment at the FCT High Court indicates that the government's legal action against Adeyemi may not be over.

The decision to strike out the charge followed the prosecution's application and should not, on its own, be interpreted as a judicial determination that the allegations against the defendant were true or false.

Whether the Federal Government will proceed with a fresh arraignment, and what charges may be brought before the FCT High Court, remain key questions arising from Monday's proceedings.

HSN will continue to follow developments in the case.