ICPC charges against Adeyemi rise to 36 counts as four defendants join the alleged fake presidential council case in Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), through its prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, has expanded the criminal case against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged head of a fictitious presidential council, from 22 to 36 counts, bringing four additional defendants into the proceedings at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Also read:ICPC Expands Adeyemi Charges to 36, Adds Four Defendants

The amended charges have introduced Aminu Abdullahi, Ogaba Harry, Florence Omameh and Patricia Akhigbe as co-defendants in a case involving allegations of forgery, impersonation, corruption, abuse of office and financial inducements to public officials.

The development disrupted proceedings that had initially been scheduled for the commencement of Adeyemi’s trial and consideration of his bail application.

Addressing the court, ICPC prosecution counsel Sylvanus Tahir explained that the amended charge was filed on November 3, expanding the case into a joint trial involving five defendants.

However, the prosecution could not proceed with the arraignment because Omameh was reportedly receiving medical treatment in hospital.

Tahir informed the court that the fourth defendant had been served with the amended charge and accompanying proof of evidence but was unable to attend because of her health condition.

He told the court, “Her unavailability in court has handicapped and constrained the prosecution from proceeding with the arraignment, this being a criminal charge.”

Relying on Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the prosecution argued that defendants were required to be present during criminal proceedings, subject to statutory exceptions.

Tahir consequently requested an adjournment to allow Omameh time to recover and attend court to enter her plea.

Adeyemi’s defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the amended charges or the prosecution’s request for an adjournment

. He, however, drew the court’s attention to the length of time his client had spent in detention.

The defence’s reminder brought the issue of Adeyemi’s continued detention into focus, particularly as the hearing of his bail application had also been affected by the latest development.

Justice Halilu Yusuf granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the proceedings until November 18, 2026, for the arraignment of all five defendants.

The judge directed that Adeyemi be returned to the Kuje Correctional Centre, while the other defendants were ordered to return to the ICPC detention facility pending the next court appearance.

The amended 36-count charge retains the allegations contained in the earlier 22 counts while introducing additional accusations involving official corruption, abuse of office, impersonation of a public servant, criminal conspiracy and the alleged payment of gratification to public officers.

One of the allegations concerns payments allegedly made by Adeyemi to Ogaba Harry, identified in the charge as an official in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President.

In Count 25, the prosecution alleged that Adeyemi corruptly transferred a total of ₦560,000 in six instalments between February 12, 2025, and April 2026 through third-party bank accounts.

According to the charge, the payments were allegedly made in connection with access to offices previously occupied by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, as well as the release of two government vehicles.

The vehicles were identified as a Toyota Prado and a Land Cruiser, which the prosecution alleged were handed over without official authorisation.

The prosecution also maintained that the broader case involved alleged efforts to establish and operate a government institution that did not legally exist.

The alleged scheme centred on the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, also referred to in some reports as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, with Adeyemi accused of presenting himself as its director-general.

The ICPC’s earlier charges reportedly included allegations that he used a forged appointment letter purportedly signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to support his claim to the position.

The commission also alleged that documents were used to obtain government office facilities, official recognition and other administrative privileges for the purported organisation.

The latest amendment follows a series of legal developments that have shaped the prosecution.

The Nigerian Police Force initially instituted proceedings against Adeyemi before the ICPC assumed responsibility for the prosecution.

An earlier eight-count charge was withdrawn after the Federal Government reviewed the case and determined that the allegations fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.

On October 12, 2026, the earlier proceedings were struck out.

The ICPC subsequently arraigned Adeyemi afresh on 22 counts of alleged forgery and impersonation before the FCT High Court on October 29.

That arraignment marked an important stage in the case, as the prosecution sought to proceed with allegations involving the purported establishment of the presidential council and the alleged misuse of government identity and facilities.

The November 9 amendment has now widened the proceedings by introducing additional allegations and four more defendants.

A separate investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES also examined the alleged involvement of public officials in efforts to secure administrative recognition and operational privileges for the purported council.

The report identified Patricia Akhigbe among officials whose roles were being investigated.

The expanded prosecution therefore raises wider questions about the alleged use of government institutions, administrative processes and public resources in facilitating the activities of an organisation whose official status is disputed.

For now, the five defendants are expected to return to court on November 18 for the commencement of arraignment on the amended charges.

The proceedings will provide an opportunity for the defendants to respond formally to the expanded allegations, while the court determines how the case will proceed.

Also read:ICPC Expands Adeyemi Charges to 36, Adds Four Defendants

Until the allegations are tested and determined through the judicial process, they remain accusations rather than established findings of guilt.