The Federal Government has filed fresh charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The development followed the withdrawal of the earlier criminal charge against Adeyemi at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday that the Attorney-General of the Federation had reviewed the case and filed a new charge before the FCT High Court.
Oyedepo, who appeared as counsel to the Attorney-General, said the review identified legal issues with the existing charge, which was filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
He explained that the documents Adeyemi allegedly forged while operating the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.
The prosecution therefore asked Justice Umar to strike out the charge to allow the government to proceed with the new case.
Adeyemi’s counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application.
The judge subsequently struck out the charge, paving the way for Adeyemi to be arraigned afresh before the FCT High Court.
Oyedepo assured the court that the defendant would be brought before the appropriate court without delay.
Adeyemi had been standing trial alongside two other defendants, whose whereabouts were said to be unknown, over allegations of conspiracy and forgery linked to the operation of the purported council.
The fresh charges mean the case will now proceed before the FCT High Court, where the allegations are expected to be considered in line with the law.
