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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expanded its prosecution against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the purported Director General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), filing an amended 36-count charge in court.
Lead Prosecution Counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, informed the court that the anti-graft agency increased the original 22-count charge which was initially instituted by the Nigeria Police Force to 36 counts.
The amended charge sheet also joined four new co-defendants to the suit: Aminu Abdullahi, Ogaba Harry, Florence Omameh, and Patricia Akhigbe.
Taking Monday’s proceedings were originally scheduled for the hearing of Adeyemi’s bail application.
However, the introduction of the amended charge required all five co-defendants to be present to take their fresh pleas, effectively stalling the bail hearing.
Plea taking could not proceed due to the absence of the fourth defendant, Florence Omameh, who was reported absent on health grounds.
Although Adeyemi and the other co-defendants were present in court, the prosecution noted that criminal trial rules prevent partial arraignment.
“Her unavailability in court has constrained the prosecution from proceeding with the arraignment, this being a criminal charge.”
Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, Lead Prosecution Counsel, relying on Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which mandates the presence of an accused person throughout their trial, subject to narrow exceptions Tahir requested a short adjournment to enable Omameh to recover and appear in court.
Defense Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, raised no objections to the charge amendment or the request for an adjournment.
He did, however, draw the court’s attention to Adeyemi’s prolonged period in detention.Presiding Judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, adjourned the matter until November 18 for the formal arraignment of all five defendants.
Justice Halilu ordered that Adeyemi be returned to the Kuje Correctional Facility, while the remaining co-defendants present in court be remanded in ICPC custody pending the next adjourned date.
