The Presidency has reaffirmed that Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, is an impostor currently facing criminal charges over alleged forgery, impersonation, and obtaining money by false pretence.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the case resurfaced following renewed public attention.
According to the Presidency, the Office of the Chief of Staff first became aware of the alleged fake agency after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) raised concerns about another organisation performing functions similar to its own.
It stated that on October 17, 2025, the Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, requesting an investigation into individuals allegedly producing forged appointment letters in his name.
The petition accused Adeyemi of posing as the Director-General of the non-existent agency while operating from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja. He was also alleged to have held meetings with foreign diplomats and Nigerian government officials, while seeking diplomatic support, including requests for a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visa applications for members of the organisation.
The Chief of Staff described the alleged activities as criminal, stating that they damaged the credibility of the Presidency and official government communications.
Supporting documents attached to the petition reportedly included copies of the alleged forged appointment letter, official correspondence sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and photographs linked to the group’s activities.
The Presidency also disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier sought clarification after Adeyemi allegedly organised a meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja without the ministry’s approval, an action said to have violated established diplomatic procedures.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation also reportedly requested clarification after receiving inquiries from various organisations regarding the authenticity of Adeyemi’s appointment.
However, the Chief of Staff denied issuing any appointment letter to Adeyemi, stressing that the agency did not exist and noting that appointments into federal government positions fall under the authority of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Following investigations, police arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at the office where he allegedly operated. Searches conducted at both his office and residence in Suleja reportedly led to the recovery of several documents and other exhibits connected to the alleged operation.
Investigators said Adeyemi claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola helped him obtain the alleged forged appointment letter. However, police later established that Tanimola had died in a hotel fire in Abuja on October 22, 2025, several days before Adeyemi’s arrest.
The investigation further concluded that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was fictitious and that Adeyemi allegedly forged official documents, falsely represented himself as a government appointee, and sought diplomatic backing under false claims.
Police also reportedly uncovered 34 bank accounts linked to Adeyemi, including nine allegedly opened under the names of non-existent government agencies such as the FCT Investment Promotion Agency/Public Private Partnership (FIPA-APP).
Investigators further alleged that forged documents were used to open a Central Bank of Nigeria account through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, although no public funds were deposited into the account.
The Nigeria Police subsequently filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025. The matter is scheduled to be heard on July 27.
The Presidency added that while on police bail, Adeyemi claimed he had been appointed by the Chief of Staff as Director-General of the agency, a statement it described as contradicting his earlier account to investigators.
It also noted that another public disclaimer was issued on June 8, reaffirming that Adeyemi has no relationship with the Presidency or any recognised government agency.
Additionally, the statement alleged that Adeyemi had previously claimed in 2016 to be an ambassador and President-General of the World Youth Organisation, describing it as affiliated with the United Nations, a claim that was reportedly rejected by the UN.
The Presidency urged politicians and members of the public to disregard Adeyemi’s claims, noting that the matter remains before the court and should be allowed to follow due legal process.
