EXPLAINER: Why FG Increased Charges Against Alleged Fake Presidential Council DG From 8 To 40

The development took a new turn on October 12, 2026, when the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) withdrew the earlier eight-count charge, only for government counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, to announce hours later that a fresh 40-count charge had been filed against Adeyemi and five others.

The fresh case introduces additional allegations, including obtaining money by false pretences, impersonation of a public servant, use of forged documents and giving gratification to a public officer.

But what exactly happened, who are the defendants, what were the original allegations and what are the fresh charges?

Here are the key facts about the case.

1. Who Is Adeniyi Adeyemi?

Adeyemi is the man accused by the Federal Government of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The prosecution alleged that he impersonated a public official and used forged government documents to establish the identity and operations of the purported council.

2. Who Are The Other Defendants?

Five other persons were named alongside Adeyemi in the fresh 40-count charge.

They are Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Aminu Abdullahi, Ogaba Harry, Florence Omameh and Patricia Akhigbe.

3. What Happened To The Original 8-Count Charge?

The original criminal charge was instituted in 2025 by the Nigeria Police against Adeyemi and two other persons identified as Femi and Anu, who were said to be at large.

The defendants were accused of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

However, on October 12, 2026, the federal government withdrew the eight-count charge following the discovery of loopholes in the case.

The withdrawal initially appeared to signal the end of the prosecution, but the government subsequently announced the filing of a fresh and expanded charge.

4. What Were The Allegations In The Original Charge?

The withdrawn eight-count charge contained several allegations bordering on the forgery of government documents.

The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi and two other individuals conspired to forge:

• A presidential appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the then Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
• Presidential letterhead papers.
• A request for collaboration with a federal ministry.
• A request for land allocation and office accommodation across the 36 states.
• A request for approval of staff accounts.
• A request for office space purportedly issued by the State House.
• A conveyance approval for the take-off of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

In count five, Adeyemi was specifically accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the council, contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.

Adeyemi denied the allegations during his arraignment.

5. Why Did The Federal Government File A Fresh Charge?

The federal government withdrew the original eight-count charge after identifying loopholes in the case.

It subsequently filed a fresh 40-count charge against Adeyemi and five others before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The new charge, signed by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, expanded the allegations and introduced additional offences beyond those contained in the withdrawn case.

6. What Are The Fresh 40-Count Charges?

The federal government accused the defendants of offences including:

• Forgery: Punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code, Cap. 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990.
• Use Of Forged Documents As Genuine: Contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
• Impersonation Of A Public Servant: Punishable under Section 132 of the Penal Code.
• Attempt To Obtain Money By False Pretences: Contrary to Sections 5(2) and 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
• Obtaining Money By False Pretences: Contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
• Giving Gratification To A Public Officer: Contrary to Section 9(1)(a) and punishable under Section 9(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

7. Where Will The Fresh Case Be Heard?

The fresh 40-count charge was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where the defendants are expected to face a new arraignment.

8. What Happens Next?

The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the fresh charges, after which the court will determine the next steps in the proceedings.

The allegations remain accusations until established before a court of law.