Defendant skips arraignment as judge issues bench warrant over alleged impersonation and repeated absence from court

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of parading himself as the Director-General of a purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), described by authorities as non-existent.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the order on Tuesday following an oral application by prosecution counsel, Mr. Wisdom Madaki, after the defendant failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment.

Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025) bordering on alleged forgery, fraud, and impersonation.

Although the matter was listed as number 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant was absent when the case was called. His counsel, Mr. Genesis Francis, however, announced appearance on his behalf.

The prosecution told the court that Adeyemi had consistently failed to honour court proceedings, prompting the request for his arrest.

Justice Umar subsequently issued a bench warrant, directing security agencies to apprehend the defendant and produce him before the court for trial.