PFIPC: Court orders IG, AGF to grant Adeyemi access to lawyers

The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation to allow detained self-styled PFIPC Director-General Adeniyi Adeyemi to consult his lawyers, according to a ruling on Thursday. Justice Obiora Egwuatu made the order while adjudicating a fundamental rights suit filed on Adeyemi's behalf.

However, the judge did not grant Adeyemi's requests for release, bail, and medical treatment access until the court first heard from the respondents. The court instructed the IGP, police, and AGF to explain within 72 hours why the remaining reliefs sought by Adeyemi should not be granted. The judge then postponed the matter until September 9 for the respondents to present their cause.

Adeyemi had sought six reliefs, including a directive for his release from custody and the granting of bail pending the suit's resolution. He also sought permission to consult medical practitioners of his choice and an injunction preventing police from interrogating him or obtaining statements without his lawyer's presence. Notably, 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."

Adeyemi was apprehended in Osun State in July following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja for his failure to appear for arraignment. He faces eight charges related to alleged forgery, fraud, and impersonation stemming from his claim to be the PFIPC Director-General, an organization the Presidency has labeled as "fake."