A Federal High Court in Abuja has deferred further proceedings in a fundamental rights suit filed by the detained Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu declined to proceed with the matter after observing that the respondents still had time to comply with the court’s directive to show cause.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Muhammad Abdulaziz, had informed the court that the relevant parties had been served and that his client was ready to proceed with the application.
The judge, however, questioned when the respondents received the court processes and noted that the 72-hour period allowed for their response was still running.
Justice Egwuatu consequently ordered that the case file be returned to the registry for reassignment, with the applicant expected to return to court after the period allowed for the respondents to respond has elapsed.
The development follows an earlier directive requiring the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation to explain why Adeyemi’s outstanding requests should not be granted.
Among the orders sought by Adeyemi are his release from custody, admission to bail pending the determination of the suit, and permission to obtain medical attention from doctors of his choice.
He is also asking the court to prevent the police from questioning him or taking a statement from him in the absence of his legal counsel.
The court had earlier declined to determine those substantive requests without hearing from the respondents, directing that they be given an opportunity to state their position.
Adeyemi was taken into custody in Osun State in July following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he allegedly failed repeatedly to appear for arraignment.
He is being prosecuted on an eight-count charge involving alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation linked to his claim of heading the PFIPC.
The Presidency had previously disowned the organisation, describing it as “fake”.
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(Editor: Ada Ononye)
