Fake agency case : Court rejects Adeyemi’s bail bid

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the police and the Attorney-General of the Federation to grant detained Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, access to his legal representatives.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the directive on Thursday while ruling on a fundamental rights suit instituted on Adeyemi’s behalf.

However, the judge declined to order his release, grant him bail or approve his request for access to medical care at this stage, insisting that the respondents must first be given an opportunity to respond to the claims.

The court subsequently directed the Inspector-General of Police, the police and the Attorney-General of the Federation to explain within 72 hours why the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi should not be granted.

The case was adjourned until September 9 for the respondents to appear and show cause.

Adeyemi had asked the court for six reliefs, among them an order compelling the authorities to release him from detention and grant him bail pending the determination of his suit.

He also requested permission to consult medical practitioners of his choice and an order stopping the police from interrogating him or taking any statement from him in the absence of his lawyer.

In the sixth relief contained in his ex parte application, Adeyemi sought “an order that, for so long as the applicant remains in custody, the respondents do permit the applicant unimpeded access to legal practitioners of his own choosing at all reasonable hours.”

Justice Egwuatu granted that particular request, directing the authorities to allow Adeyemi to meet with his lawyers at reasonable hours while he remains in custody.

Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment.

He is facing an eight-count charge involving alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation arising from his claim that he heads the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

The Presidency has disowned the organisation, describing it as “fake.”

According to the prosecution, Adeyemi allegedly forged an appointment letter said to have been issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. He was also accused of forging other official documents.

Adeyemi has rejected the allegations and insisted that the council is a legitimate organisation.

Earlier, Justice Mohammed Umar had directed security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and bring him before the court on September 30 for arraignment following his repeated absence from proceedings.