The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of 38-year-old Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations bordering on impersonation, conspiracy and forgery involving the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the remand order on Wednesday following Matthew’s arraignment on an eight-count charge filed against him by the prosecution.
The defendant is accused of impersonating the Director-General of the PFIPC, an agency described in the allegations before the court as a fake or purported government agency.
Matthew was arraigned alongside two other suspects identified as Femi, whose surname was not disclosed, and Anu, who is said to be at large.
He pleaded not guilty to all eight counts contained in the charge.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to take appropriate steps to ensure that the defendant remained in custody pending further proceedings in the matter.
Justice Umar subsequently ordered that Matthew be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The order means that Matthew will remain in custody while the court considers his bail application and the legal process over the allegations continues.
The prosecution’s case centres on alleged conspiracy and forgery, alongside the allegation that Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.
The court is expected to hear the defendant’s bail application as proceedings continue.
Meanwhile, the two other persons named in the charge, Femi and Anu, remain at large as authorities continue efforts to locate them and bring them before the court.