A Federal High Court in Abuja returns the case file in Adeniyi Adeyemi’s fundamental rights enforcement suit for reassignment. Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court declines to hear the matter and sends it back to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, to allocate it to another judge.
The suit challenges Adeyemi’s detention without trial and seeks bail pending the determination of the charges. The matter comes up after an order asking the respondents to show cause within 72 hours, and Adeyemi’s counsel says the respondents have been served and that the application is ready to proceed. Egwuatu notes the 72-hour period has not expired and questions whether the proof of service for the hearing notice is properly sworn. The court also had previously granted one relief allowing Adeyemi access to lawyers of his choice at reasonable hours while in custody.
Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge of alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation linked to his claim to lead the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the Presidency says is not genuine. Sources also describe Adeyemi’s arrest in July, following a bench warrant issued after repeated failure to appear, and his expected arraignment on September 30.
