The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has escalated its legal action by expanding the charge sheet against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the purported head of the non- existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
Initially facing a 22-count charge, Mr Adeyemi now confronts 36 counts following the latest revision by the anti-graft agency. Alongside this expansion, prosecutors have brought four additional individuals into the legal matter as co-defendants.
The newly added individuals answering to the charges alongside the primary suspect are Aminu Abdullahi, Ogaba Harry, Florence Omameh, and Patricia Akhigbe.
This legal update marks the second time the ICPC has modified the charge sheet since [ taking over the case last month ](https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/921304-icpc-re-arraigns-fake- presidential-council-dg-adeniyi-adeyemi-for-forgery-fraud.html) from the Nigerian Police Force, which initially instituted the matter last year.
Why was the arraignment stalled?
During Monday's court session, proceedings were initially arranged to hear a bail application filed by Mr Adeyemi's legal team. However, the introduction of the amended charge sheet necessitated a formal plea from all defendants, turning the schedule into a joint arraignment.
The process hit a roadblock when the fourth defendant, Ms Omameh, failed to appear in court, with her legal representatives citing health reasons. The other defendants were present in the courtroom.
Prosecution counsel Sylvanus Tahir, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), described the situation to the presiding judge. "The case has now become a joint trial consisting of five defendants," Mr Tahir stated. He confirmed that while Ms Omameh had been duly served with all relevant legal documents and proofs of evidence, her medical admission at a health facility prevented her attendance.
Invoking Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the prosecuting lawyer emphasized that defendants must generally remain present throughout criminal proceedings. He requested a brief adjournment to allow the absent defendant time to recuperate and take her plea.
Defence counsel Ibrahim Angulu, also a SAN representing Mr Adeyemi, offered no objection to the adjournment request but directed the court's attention to his client's extended period in custody.
Trial judge Halilu Yusuf sustained the application and scheduled 18 November for the formal arraignment of all five defendants. The judge directed that Mr Adeyemi be returned to the Kuje Correctional Facility, while the remaining defendants were ordered to report back to the ICPC detention facility.
Background of the investigation and initial charges
Mr Adeyemi's legal troubles began unfolding publicly when he was initially brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on 30 September. Subsequently, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, withdrew those particulars to refile them at the FCT High Court, which was deemed the proper jurisdiction.
By 29 October, the ICPC arraigned the principal defendant on a 22-count indictment encompassing allegations of forgery, impersonation of public officials, and the acquisition of substantial public funds. Investigators alleged he illegally secured over N27 billion intended as takeoff grants for the fictitious agency, alongside N3.8 billion earmarked for personnel expenditures.
According to the anti-graft commission, the scheme involved fabricating correspondence directed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, as well as documents bearing the signature of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to legitimize his appointment. The defendant allegedly occupied physical office spaces within the Federal Secretariat Complex Phase III under the guise of running an official government body.
Further accusations detailed forged letters sent to the Accountant-General of the Federation seeking self-accounting status, and communications with the National Information Technology Development Agency to secure an official domain name. Investigators also claimed Mr Adeyemi disbursed financial incentives to officials in various government offices to facilitate unauthorized vehicle allocations and office space acquisitions.
Mr Adeyemi has consistently maintained his innocence, entering a not-guilty plea to all previous allegations when read to him in court.
What do the amended charges entail?
The revised indictment filed on 3 November retains the foundational allegations against the principal defendant while incorporating fresh counts of official corruption, criminal conspiracy, and the unlawful offering of gratifications to public servants, involving both Mr Adeyemi and his newly joined co-defendants.