By Our Reporter
The Presidency has dismissed renewed claims by Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed Director-General of a Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing him as an impostor who allegedly forged official documents to create and head a non-existent government agency. “Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew is an impostor,” the Presidency said, insisting that the council “does not exist.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the alleged fraud came to light after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) reported that a parallel agency was operating in the name of the Presidency. Following the complaint, the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police on October 17, 2025, to investigate what it described as “fraudsters and impostors” forging appointment letters purportedly issued from the office.
According to the Presidency, Adeyemi allegedly used forged appointment letters, official seals and reference numbers to present himself as a presidential appointee. He reportedly operated from an office in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, held meetings with Nigerians and foreign diplomats, and sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain U.S. visas for members of the purported council.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also raised concerns after Adeyemi allegedly convened a meeting with ambassadors without its knowledge. The Presidency said the Chief of Staff categorically denied appointing him and stressed that “the agency did not exist,” adding that appointments into federal offices are made through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Police arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, and searches of his office and residence reportedly uncovered documents linked to the alleged scheme. Investigators said he claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola helped him procure the forged appointment letter, but police later established that Tanimola had died in a hotel fire in Abuja days before the arrest.
The Presidency said investigators concluded that the council was fictitious and that the appointment letter and other official documents in Adeyemi’s possession were forged. Police also alleged that he operated 34 bank accounts, including several opened in the names of fictitious government agencies, although investigators found that no government funds were paid into the Central Bank account allegedly opened with forged documents.
Adeyemi and two others were arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on November 27, 2025, on charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The matter comes up for hearing on July 27. Urging restraint, the Presidency advised politicians and the public “not to rely on Adeyemi’s claims,” noting that the matter is before the court and should be allowed to run its legal course.
The charges followed a petition by the Office of the Chief of Staff after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) reported that a parallel government agency was operating under the Presidency. Investigations by the DSS and the police allegedly uncovered forged appointment letters, fake government documents and other materials, leading to the arraignment of Adeyemi and two others on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence charges.