The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of impersonating the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the case following an application by the prosecution, which said the defendant would be transferred to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for a fresh arraignment.
At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had reviewed the case file and the charges initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
Oyedepo said the review identified legal issues concerning the appropriate court to handle the case, particularly the alleged forgery of documents linked to Adeyemi’s operation of the purported agency.
He explained that the offences relating to the documents allegedly forged by the defendant fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation further disclosed that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court, adding that the government intended to arraign Adeyemi without delay.
He consequently urged Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge in line with the law.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, did not oppose the application.
The judge subsequently granted the prosecution’s request and struck out the eight-count charge, paving the way for the defendant’s fresh arraignment before the FCT High Court.
Adeyemi had been standing trial alongside two other defendants, whose whereabouts were unknown, over allegations bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
