By Abiola Olawale
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to grant Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), immediate and unimpeded access to his legal counsel.
Justice Obiora Egwatu issued the ruling on Thursday following a fundamental rights enforcement motion ex parte filed by Adeyemi’s lawyer, M.B. Abdulazeez.
The court directed security respondents to ensure that Adeyemi is allowed “unimpeded access to lawyers of his own choosing at all reasonable hours” while in detention.
Justice Egwatu gave the AGF and the police a 72-hour ultimatum to explain why other reliefs sought by the applicant—including requests for bail and medical attention—should not be granted.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the matter until September 9 for the respondents to show cause.
Adeyemi had sought six reliefs, including an order directing the respondents to release him from custody and grant him bail pending the determination of the suit.
He also sought an order allowing him access to medical practitioners of his choice, as well as an injunction restraining the police from interrogating him or obtaining any statement from him without his lawyer being present.
Meanwhile, relief six in his ex parte application 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.”
The court granted the relief seeking access to legal counsel, directing that Adeyemi be allowed to meet his lawyers at reasonable hours while in custody.
Recall that Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear for arraignment.
He is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud, and impersonation over his claim to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, an organisation the Presidency has disowned as “fake”.
The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, among other official documents.
Adeyemi has denied the allegations and maintained that the council exists.
