A fundamental rights suit filed by Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), was stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday over a defective proof of service.
Adeyemi is seeking his release from police custody, bail and permission to obtain medical treatment from health practitioners of his choice.
He is also asking the court to restrain the police and other agents from interrogating him or compelling him to make, adopt or sign any statement except in the presence of a lawyer of his choice.
The suit was filed against the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), inspector-general of police (IGP), Nigeria Police Force and an assistant inspector-general of police as first to fourth respondents respectively.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Ademola Oyedokun appeared for Adeyemi, while Mercy Akeredolu represented the AGF. No lawyer appeared for the police.
Oyedokun told the court that the matter was scheduled for the respondents to show cause why the reliefs sought by Adeyemi should not be granted.
He said the respondents had been served in line with the court’s directive and that he was ready to proceed.
The registrar confirmed that the proof of service and the order to show cause had been served on the respondents on September 8.
However, when Obiora Egwuatu, presiding judge, asked whether the hearing notice for Thursday’s proceedings had also been served, the registrar confirmed that it was served on September 9.
Egwuatu then examined the proof of service and observed that it had not been sworn to before a commissioner for oaths.
The judge described the document as “incompetent”.
When the court file was shown to Oyedokun, he conceded that the proof of service was defective and asked for a short adjournment to enable him to correct the process.
Egwuatu, however, said the respondents were still within time to respond to the order to show cause, which had only been served on September 8.
The judge also noted that the court’s vacation was nearing its end and directed that the case file be returned to the registry for reassignment.
At a previous court session on September 3, Egwuatu had declined to grant Adeyemi’s request for bail and medical treatment without hearing from the respondents.
The court, however, ordered the police to allow Adeyemi unhindered access to his lawyers and directed the respondents to show cause why the other reliefs sought should not be granted.
The case could not proceed on Wednesday because of an issue with service on the respondents.
Adeyemi is currently in police custody in connection with a criminal case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, in which he is facing allegations including forgery and impersonation before Mohammed Umar, judge of the same court.
Umar issued an arrest warrant for Adeyemi in July after he failed to appear for scheduled proceedings and subsequently fixed September 30 for his arraignment.
Adeyemi was later arrested by the police and has remained in custody pending his arraignment.
Prosecutors alleged that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, his chief of staff, among other official documents.
Adeyemi has denied the allegations and maintained that the council exists.
The police charge lists Adeyemi, “Femi Surname Unknown” and “Anu Surname Unknown” as the first to third defendants.
The prosecution has listed several witnesses in the criminal case, including Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, as well as officials of the Office of the accountant-general of the federation.