Court Orders IGP to Grant PFIPC’s Adeyemi Access to Lawyers

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Government to allow Adeniyi Adeyemi, the controversial Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), access to lawyers of his choice.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday while ruling on a fundamental rights application filed by Adeyemi through his lawyer, M.B. Abdulazeez.

The court directed the respondents to ensure that Adeyemi has unimpeded access to his lawyers at all reasonable hours.

The order comes amid an ongoing criminal case involving Adeyemi and fresh allegations raised by the House of Representatives over the controversial PFIPC.

Court order comes amid PFIPC investigation

In a separate criminal case filed by the police, the Federal High Court in Abuja had reportedly issued an arrest warrant for Adeyemi in July after he failed to appear for scheduled proceedings.

His arraignment was subsequently fixed for September 30.

The latest court order also comes shortly after a House of Representatives ad hoc committee released its preliminary findings on the controversial council.

The committee, chaired by Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, alleged that 12 entities and about 58 bank accounts were linked to Adeyemi.

Lawmakers are investigating the PFIPC following controversy over its inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill despite questions about whether the council was legally established.

House questions Adeyemi’s alleged appointment

According to the committee’s preliminary report, lawmakers found no valid Act of the National Assembly or presidential directive establishing the PFIPC.

The committee also said evidence from the State House showed that Adeyemi was not appointed as the council’s Director-General by the Presidency.

It further said there was no evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, signed Adeyemi’s alleged appointment letter.

The committee consequently described the document as allegedly fabricated and falsely attributed to the Presidency.

Lawmakers said the allegations would require further investigation and stressed that affected officials would be given an opportunity to respond before final conclusions are reached.

The committee is also examining how documents linked to the purported PFIPC were received and processed by government institutions, including the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Budget Office.

The latest court order means Adeyemi is entitled to access lawyers of his choice as the legal proceedings and House investigation into the controversial PFIPC continue.