The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday, October 29, 2026, arraigned Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew afresh before an FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, over a 22-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation, and fraudulent acquisition of public funds. ​
Adeyemi, who purportedly posed as the Director-General of a non-existent federal agency, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), pleaded not guilty to all counts read before Justice Halilu during the morning court proceedings. ​
According to the fresh charge sheet filed by the ICPC, Adeyemi allegedly forged an official appointment letter around March 8, 2024, bearing reference number SH/COS/209/A/3456 and purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The prosecution stated that Adeyemi utilized the fraudulent appointment document to gain legitimacy by presenting forged papers to executive agencies, including submitting requests to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to acquire an official domain name for the fake council.
He also allegedly secured over N27 million unlawfully by presenting forged documentation addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, while attempting corrupt payments to public officers in contravention of Section 9(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. ​
The fresh arraignment follows the October 12 striking out of an earlier eight-count charge previously brought against Adeyemi by the Nigeria Police Force at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Explaining the legal transfer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, noted that a review conducted by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) established that the alleged offences fell within the territorial and subject-matter jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court. ​
During Thursday’s session, defence counsel Ibrahim Angulu (SAN) made an oral application praying the court to grant his client bail. Angulu informed the court that Adeyemi had already spent 155 days in detention and cited ongoing health issues, presenting a medical report issued by the Police Clinic where the defendant had been undergoing treatment. ​Justice Halilu declined the immediate oral bail application, directing that formal written proceedings be followed.
The court adjourned the matter until November 9, 2026, for the formal hearing of the bail application and the commencement of the full trial, while remanding Adeyemi in custody pending the adjourned date.
