The Federal High Court sitting 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 Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), access to his lawyers while in detention.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday while ruling on a fundamental rights suit filed on Adeyemi’s behalf.
The judge, however, declined to grant Adeyemi’s requests for release, bail and access to medical treatment without first hearing from the respondents.
The court directed the IGP, the police and the AGF to show cause within 72 hours why the remaining reliefs sought by Adeyemi 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 with his lawyers at reasonable hours while in custody.
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.
Justice Mohammed Umar had earlier ordered security agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him in court on September 30 for arraignment after he repeatedly failed to appear before the court.
