The Federal High Court in Abuja has deferred further proceedings on the fundamental rights suit filed by Adeniyi Adeyemi, the detained self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The case was adjourned after Justice Obiora Egwuatu directed the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to respond to Adeyemi’s demands concerning his continued detention.
Adeyemi had approached the court seeking several orders, including his release from custody and admission to bail pending the determination of the matter. He also requested access to medical practitioners of his choice and asked the court to prevent the police from interrogating him or obtaining a statement from him without his legal representatives being present.
Justice Egwuatu, however, declined to immediately grant the requests for release, bail and medical access, directing the respondents to show cause why the reliefs should not be granted.
The court did grant one of Adeyemi’s requests, ordering the authorities to allow him access to his lawyers at reasonable hours while he remains in detention.
The legal battle is connected to the wider controversy surrounding the PFIPC, an organisation whose existence has been disputed by the Presidency. Adeyemi has maintained that the council exists and has denied allegations against him.
He was arrested in Osun State in July following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court after he repeatedly failed to appear for arraignment.
Adeyemi is facing an eight-count criminal charge relating to alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation. Prosecutors have alleged that he presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and forged official documents, including an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Adeyemi has denied the allegations.
The separate criminal proceedings have been fixed for September 30 for his arraignment, while the fundamental rights case concerns the legality and conditions of his detention.
The latest development means Adeyemi will remain in custody pending further consideration of his rights application and the responses of the police and the AGF.
The case has attracted significant public attention because of the allegations surrounding the purported agency and questions over how it came to feature in government-related activities and documents.
Further proceedings are expected to determine whether the authorities can justify Adeyemi’s continued detention and whether the additional reliefs sought by him should be granted.