The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has submitted amended charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the director general of the nonexistent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The prosecution has increased the number of charges from 22 to 36, according to Sylvanus Tahir, the prosecution counsel.
In addition to Adeyemi, the updated case also names four civil servants: Aminu Abdullahi, Ogaba Harry, Florence Omameh, and Patricia Akhigbe. This legal matter was initially instituted by the Nigerian police.
During a court session originally intended for considering Adeyemi’s bail application, proceedings were disrupted due to the amended charges, necessitating all defendants to submit their pleas. However, the plea-taking for the defendants could not continue as one defendant, Omameh, was absent due to health issues. This absence, as noted by Tahir, restricted the prosecution from advancing the arraignment, citing that an accused individual must be present throughout the trial process as stipulated in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Tahir requested a short adjournment to allow Omameh time to recover and present her plea. Adeyemi’s attorney, Ibrahim Angulu, did not contest the amendments or the request for adjournment, although he highlighted Adeyemi’s lengthy detention.
Judge Yusuf Halilu has adjourned the arraignment until November 18. Following this decision, Adeyemi is to return to Kuje Correctional Facility, while the remaining defendants will be taken back to the ICPC detention facility.
