Fresh developments have emerged in the trial of the alleged Director-General of the disowned Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, with indications that prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has reportedly withdrawn from the case.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that Falana is no longer representing Adeyemi, whose trial centres on allegations surrounding the activities of the controversial organisation and its purported links to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
According to the sources, although Falana had initially indicated his willingness to defend Adeyemi, difficulties encountered in obtaining critical documents needed to prepare the defence may have prompted his decision to step aside.
The sources further claimed that several documents requested by the defence team were not made available, hampering adequate preparation for the trial.
They also revealed that efforts had previously been made to secure Adeyemi’s appearance in court, but he failed to attend earlier proceedings.
On July 14, 2026, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court issued a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment over charges relating to the activities of the alleged fake PFIPC.
His counsel was also absent when the matter was called.
The arrest warrant was granted following an oral application by the prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki.
Adeyemi was subsequently apprehended in Osun State after law enforcement authorities declared him wanted.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Falana nor his law firm had issued an official statement confirming his withdrawal from the case, while efforts to obtain his reaction were unsuccessful.
The trial has continued to attract public attention amid growing concerns over organisations allegedly presenting themselves as government agencies without official recognition or authorisation.
The court has adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for further hearing.
