Presidency Dismisses Adeyemi’s Claims, Says Alleged Presidential Council Was Fake
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Presidency has dismissed claims by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew that he was appointed to head a presidential agency, insisting that both his alleged appointment and the agency he claimed to lead were entirely fictitious.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Office of the Chief of Staff first raised the alarm in October 2025 after complaints emerged that a supposed government body, known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council), was operating without official recognition.
According to the statement, the Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, alleging that fraudsters had forged appointment letters bearing fake signatures, reference numbers and official seals to create the impression of a legitimate presidential agency.
The Presidency said investigations revealed that Adeyemi allegedly used the forged documents to present himself as the director-general of the non-existent agency, held meetings with diplomats and government officials, and even sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for members of his team.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also expressed concerns after Adeyemi reportedly met with ambassadors in Abuja without the ministry’s knowledge, prompting requests for clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The Chief of Staff repeatedly denied appointing Adeyemi, stressing that no such agency exists and that appointments to government offices are made through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not his office.
Following investigations, police arrested Adeyemi in October 2025 at his office in Abuja, where officers recovered several documents and exhibits. Investigators also searched his residence in Suleja and discovered multiple bank accounts allegedly linked to fictitious organisations.
According to the Presidency, police concluded that Adeyemi forged official documents, impersonated a government appointee and attempted to obtain benefits under false pretences.
Authorities also alleged that he fraudulently opened a Central Bank account using forged documents, although they confirmed that no government funds were paid into the account.
The police subsequently filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two other suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja. His trial is scheduled to continue on July 27.
The Presidency further accused Adeyemi of reviving the appointment claim while on police bail, describing it as inconsistent with his earlier statement to investigators. It also cited a previous 2016 incident in which he allegedly claimed affiliation with a non-existent United Nations-linked organisation.
The Presidency urged politicians and members of the public to avoid spreading what it described as false claims and to allow the court to determine the matter, noting that the case is currently before the judiciary.
