PFIPC: Court Defers Hearing in Adeyemi’s Fundamental Rights Suit

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‎A Federal High Court in Abuja has returned to its registry for reassignment a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Adeniyi Adeyemi, the detained self-styled Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
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‎The court declined to proceed with the hearing after noting that the 72-hour period granted to the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation to show cause why Adeyemi’s remaining reliefs should not be granted had not yet expired.
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‎The court had earlier granted one of the interim reliefs sought by Adeyemi, ordering the authorities to allow him access to lawyers of his choice at reasonable hours while he remains in custody.
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‎Adeyemi had sought six reliefs in the suit, including an order for his release from custody pending the determination of the case, access to medical practitioners of his choice, and an order restraining the police from interrogating him or obtaining a statement from him in the absence of his lawyer.
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‎The court refused to grant the substantive reliefs on an ex-parte basis, insisting that the respondents must first be given an opportunity to respond and the court gave a 72-hour window.
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‎Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant over his repeated failure to appear for arraignment. He is facing an eight-count charge of alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation arising from his claim to be the Director-General of the PFIPC — an organisation the Presidency has described as “fake.”
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‎He is expected to be arraigned on 30 September, following an earlier order by Justice Mohammed Umar directing security agencies to arrest and produce him in court.
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