The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a 38-year-old man, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, over allegations that he impersonated the Director-General of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Adeyemi was brought before Justice Mohammed Umar on an eight-count charge involving alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi worked with two other suspects, identified as Femi and Anu, to create and operate the purported council using forged government documents.
According to the police, the documents were designed to give the organisation the appearance of being an officially established Federal Government body.
Among the documents allegedly forged were a purported presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads and a conveyance approval said to authorise the commencement of the council’s activities.
The prosecution also alleged that the suspects prepared documents seeking approval to open staff bank accounts and obtain office accommodation for the purported council.
Another document was said to have been a letter requesting collaboration between the alleged council and a Federal Government ministry.
Adeyemi was separately accused in count five of presenting himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, an office the prosecution said he had no authority to occupy.
The prosecution said the alleged impersonation violated Section 179 of the Penal Code.
However, Adeyemi denied the allegations by entering a not-guilty plea to each of the eight counts.
After taking his plea, Justice Umar ordered that he be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The two other defendants, Femi and Anu, are still at large, according to the prosecution.