Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the 38-year-old accused of falsely presenting himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, paving the way for his fresh arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar struck out the charge on Monday following an application by the Federal Government, which said a review of the case had revealed legal issues requiring the matter to be transferred to the FCT High Court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, moved the application on behalf of the government, explaining that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had reviewed the case file and the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
Oyedepo said the review identified loopholes in the original charge and established that the alleged offences involving forged documents were more appropriately prosecuted before the FCT High Court.
He informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court and that Adeyemi would be arraigned afresh without delay.
The prosecution consequently urged the court to strike out the existing charge in accordance with the law.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application, prompting Justice Umar to strike out the case.
Adeyemi was standing trial in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025 alongside two other defendants, identified only as Femi and Anu, who were said to be at large.
The charges against the defendants bordered on conspiracy and forgery.
The striking out of the charge at the Federal High Court does not amount to an acquittal, as the Federal Government has indicated its intention to proceed with a fresh prosecution before the FCT High Court.
