The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail or immediate medical attention to Adeniyi Adeyemi, the detained self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling on an ex-parte application filed by Adeyemi, however, directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to allow the detainee access to his legal representatives.

The court further ordered the IGP, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and AGF to appear and show cause within 72 hours why the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi, including bail, should not be granted.

Justice Egwuatu consequently adjourned the case until September 9 for the respondents to explain why the remaining applications should not be granted.

Adeyemi is facing an eight-count criminal charge filed by the police over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

The development adds a fresh twist to the controversy surrounding the PFIPC, an entity Adeyemi has publicly presented as a Federal Government agency, but which the Presidency has described as fictitious.

The police had on July 14 secured a bench warrant from another Federal High Court judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, following Adeyemi’s failure to appear in court for his arraignment.

The law enforcement agency subsequently announced that Adeyemi had been arrested at a hideout in Osun State on the same day.

In the charge filed against him since November 27, 2025, the police alleged that Adeyemi forged presidential letter-headed documents, falsely paraded himself as Director-General of the PFIPC and produced documents purportedly issued by the State House.

The Presidency had earlier disowned the PFIPC, insisting that no such agency was established under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

It also accused Adeyemi of forging appointment documents, impersonating a government official and attempting to secure official recognition and diplomatic backing for the disputed organisation.

The controversy assumed a broader dimension after the 2026 Appropriation Bill was found to contain an entity described as the “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council”, with an allocation of about N1.303 billion.

The discovery prompted the House of Representatives to commence an investigation into how the disputed body found its way into the national budget.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has also conducted a separate investigation into the matter.

In August, the anti-corruption agency submitted an interim report to President Tinubu, recommending Adeyemi’s prosecution. The commission said its preliminary findings showed that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that documents allegedly used to establish the agency were forged.

The ICPC said investigations were ongoing to identify other persons who may have collaborated with Adeyemi and strengthen the case against those involved.

Meanwhile, the House committee probing the PFIPC has heard further allegations concerning Adeyemi’s activities.

A businessman, Gbenga Collins, reportedly told the committee in August that he paid N400 million to Adeyemi to facilitate the award of a contract.

Adeyemi has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained that he is ready to defend himself against the allegations in court.