A man identified as Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew stands at the centre of a high-profile case involving a non-existent government body. Authorities say he operated the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also linked to a Presidential Economic Advisory Council variant.
The agency allegedly secured space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. It opened multiple bank accounts, including one at the Central Bank of Nigeria using forged documents.
Police arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at his office. Investigations recovered forged appointment letters and other materials from the secretariat and his Suleja residence.
He faces an eight-count charge filed in November 2025. Counts include conspiracy, forgery of presidential documents, and impersonation as director-general. Two alleged accomplices remain at large. Trial continues on July 27.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the matter in a July 1 statement. He called Adeyemi “a clear case of a con artist who appears to have built a web of false claims.” Onanuga noted complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission triggered the probe.
Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila had issued a disclaimer on June 11. He stated no such office exists and no appointment was made. Gbajabiamila petitioned security agencies in October 2025 over forged letters bearing his signature.
Adeyemi has denied wrongdoing in recent interviews. He claims Gbajabiamila knew of the appointment. When asked about funding for reported staff, he said the truth would emerge in court.
The 2026 Appropriation Act lists over ₦1.3 billion for the entity under the Presidency. This covers personnel, overhead, and capital costs. The allocation has drawn questions from figures like Atiku Abubakar.
Public reactions on X highlight concerns over institutional oversight. Many question how the agency functioned publicly for months despite earlier warnings. Adeyemi previously faced similar scrutiny in 2016 over another claimed international role.
The Presidency maintains no public funds were released. It urges the public to await court proceedings. The case continues to fuel debate on governance processes and accountability.
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