Details of how fake agency operated within Nigeria’s presidency in major fraud scandal has emerged.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Presidency has come under renewed public and legal scrutiny over the activities of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who has been formally charged with eight counts of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and related financial crimes before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), also weighed in on the matter, arguing that the Presidency lacks constitutional authority to exonerate any party involved in the case and calling for an independent investigation into both the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the accused.
Court Charges and Allegations of a Fake Federal Agency
According to police filings, Adeyemi was arraigned for allegedly operating a fictitious government entity known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), forging a presidential appointment letter allegedly signed under the authority of the Chief of Staff, and maintaining 34 bank accounts in the names of non-existent government agencies.
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The Presidency, in a detailed statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga titled “Re: The Matter of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and the Fictitious Presidential Economic Advisory Council,” provided an account of the investigation, arrest, and prosecution process.
It also cautioned against what it described as attempts to politicise the matter and target the Chief of Staff.
How the Case Began
The Presidency said the case originated from complaints by officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), who noticed an entity operating in parallel with established government institutions.
Following these concerns, the Chief of Staff formally petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force on October 17, 2025, triggering an investigation.
Adeyemi was subsequently arrested on October 27, 2025, at his office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
Police Investigation and Financial Findings
Investigations led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Kabir Mogaji reportedly uncovered:
- 34 bank accounts linked to Adeyemi
- Nine accounts opened under fictitious agencies
- Fraudulent use of government documentation to open accounts
- Attempts to establish credibility through forged official correspondence
- Solicitation of diplomatic facilitation for visa processing via fake Note Verbale requests
The police further alleged that Adeyemi deceived the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation into opening a Central Bank of Nigeria-linked account under false pretences.
Although no public funds were reportedly transferred, investigators described the operation as a calculated attempt to infiltrate official financial systems for potential diversion of government resources.
Authorities also recommended freezing all identified accounts pending prosecution.
Forgery, Impersonation and Court Charges
The Nigeria Police Force filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices at the Federal High Court on November 27, 2025.
Among the charges:
- Forgery of presidential appointment letters
- Impersonation as Director-General of a non-existent agency
- Forgery of official State House letterheads
- Use of falsified documents to access government institutions and diplomatic channels
One of the charges specifically alleges that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff.
He is also accused of falsely presenting himself as Director-General of the PFIPC and related fictitious bodies.
Institutional Confusion and Diplomatic Concerns
Before the arrest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had raised concerns after Adeyemi allegedly hosted a diplomatic meeting with foreign ambassadors in Abuja without official clearance.
The ministry subsequently wrote to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Staff seeking clarification, stating that the actions violated diplomatic protocol.
The NSA and SGF’s office also sought clarification from the Presidency, further escalating institutional confusion around the alleged entity.
Presidency’s Position
The Presidency maintained that Adeyemi acted alone in perpetrating fraud and that the Chief of Staff was the first to expose the scheme.
It also disclosed that Adeyemi had a history of similar impersonation, including a 2016 claim in which he presented himself as an “Ambassador and President-General” of a non-existent global youth organisation allegedly linked to the United Nations.
Falana Calls for Independent Investigation
Reacting to the development, Femi Falana (SAN) argued that the Presidency cannot clear anyone of wrongdoing and insisted that only independent investigative agencies have constitutional authority in such matters.
He called for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate all allegations thoroughly, including financial dealings and institutional approvals linked to the case.
Falana also raised concerns about alleged budgetary allocations linked to the fictitious agency and questioned how such entities could access banking and regulatory systems.
Competing Claims and Counter-Allegations
The case has also taken a new dimension following claims by Adeyemi that he was appointed through intermediaries after allegedly paying large sums in bribes.
He further alleged that a disagreement over financial demands led to the collapse of his relationship with officials in the Presidency, claims which remain unverified and strongly denied by the Chief of Staff.
Conclusion
While the Presidency insists the matter is a clear case of impersonation and fraud, growing public scrutiny continues to raise broader questions about institutional oversight, financial controls, and administrative vulnerabilities within government systems.
With criminal charges now before the court, the matter has entered a critical legal phase where only judicial proceedings and ongoing investigations can separate fact from allegation.
For now, Nigerians are left watching a case that blends fraud, politics, bureaucracy, and institutional accountability at the highest levels of government.
