The Presidency on Wednesday dismissed as false and fraudulent claims by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew that he paid Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, \u20a6400 million to secure appointment as Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing him as an impostor currently facing criminal prosecution.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Adeyemi’s allegations were fabricated and contradicted the government’s documented efforts over the past year to expose what it described as a sophisticated impersonation and forgery scheme.<\/p>\n
The response followed recent public claims by Adeyemi that his appointment formed part of a \u20a6600 million arrangement, with \u20a6400 million allegedly paid upfront. He further alleged that disagreements later arose over an alleged demand for 48 per cent of the proposed \u20a627.39 billion take-off grant for the agency.<\/p>\n
The Presidency categorically rejected the allegations, maintaining that no such agency exists within the Federal Government and that Adeyemi was never appointed to any position.<\/p>\n
According to Onanuga, the Office of the Chief of Staff was itself the first government institution to alert security agencies to the activities of individuals allegedly forging presidential appointment letters after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) raised concerns that an unknown organisation was operating as a parallel investment promotion agency.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that on October 17, 2025, Gbajabiamila formally petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate individuals allegedly producing forged appointment letters purportedly emanating from his office.<\/p>\n
The petition alleged that forged documents bearing fake signatures, seals and reference numbers were being used to claim appointments into a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.<\/p>\n
According to the statement, the alleged operators established offices within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, held meetings with foreign diplomats and Nigerian officials, and even sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa processing.<\/p>\n
The Presidency said the activities amounted to criminal impersonation capable of undermining the credibility of official government communications.<\/p>\n
It further disclosed that concerns over the purported council had earlier reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which on October 15, 2025, sought clarification from both the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff after Adeyemi reportedly convened a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Abuja without the ministry’s knowledge or participation.<\/p>\n
According to the ministry, such engagements violated established diplomatic procedures.<\/p>\n
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) also reportedly sought clarification following enquiries from several government agencies and private organisations regarding the authenticity of Adeyemi’s appointment.<\/p>\n
The Presidency said Gbajabiamila consistently denied issuing any appointment letter, stressing that appointments into federal agencies are processed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and not by the Office of the Chief of Staff.<\/p>\n
Police investigations, according to the statement, culminated in Adeyemi’s arrest on October 27, 2025, at an office in Abuja allegedly used to operate the scheme.<\/p>\n
Searches conducted at both the office and his Suleja residence reportedly yielded forged appointment documents and other materials.<\/p>\n
Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as a government appointee, sought diplomatic recognition using forged documents, and fraudulently opened multiple bank accounts linked to fictitious government entities. Police also alleged that forged documents were used to facilitate the opening of a Central Bank account, although investigators said no government funds were paid into it.<\/p>\n
The Presidency added that an eight-count criminal charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence was subsequently filed against Adeyemi and two other defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. The matter is scheduled to continue on July 27, 2026.<\/p>\n
Onanuga said Adeyemi’s recent allegations against the Chief of Staff were made while he was on police bail and directly contradicted statements he allegedly made during police interrogation. The Presidency noted that Gbajabiamila had earlier issued a public disclaimer on June 8, 2026, reiterating that neither Adeyemi nor the purported council had any connection with the Federal Government.<\/p>\n