The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charge after the Federal Government applied to withdraw it, following a review that reportedly identified legal and jurisdictional issues with the case.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had reviewed the case file alongside the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
Oyedepo explained that the review revealed shortcomings in the prosecution’s case, particularly concerning the appropriate court to hear the allegations of forgery against Adeyemi.
According to the prosecution, the documents allegedly forged by the defendant while operating the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory rather than the Federal High Court.
The prosecution consequently asked Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge to allow the case to proceed before the appropriate court.
Oyedepo also informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed at the FCT High Court and that the defendant would be arraigned again without delay.
Adeyemi had been charged with conspiracy and forgery alongside two other individuals whose whereabouts were said to be unknown.
Defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), did not oppose the prosecution’s application to withdraw the charge.
Following the submissions, Justice Umar granted the application and struck out all eight counts, clearing the way for the fresh proceedings at the FCT High Court.
The development means that the allegations against Adeyemi are expected to be addressed in the new case before the FCT High Court, rather than under the charge withdrawn at the Federal High Court.
The withdrawal and striking out of the charge were based on the jurisdictional concerns raised by the prosecution and do not amount to a determination of Adeyemi’s guilt or innocence.
