Presidency Accuses Adeyemi Of Forging Official Documents To Mislead Govt Officials, Denies DG Appointment Claim
The Presidency has distanced itself from claims by Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed Director-General of a purported Presidential Economic Advisory Council, describing him as an impostor who forged government documents and headed a non-existent agency.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Office of the Chief of Staff had long alerted security agencies to Adeyemi's activities after complaints emerged that a fake government agency was operating alongside legitimate institutions.
According to Onanuga, the Chief of Staff, in a petition dated October 17, 2025, asked the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate individuals allegedly forging presidential appointment letters.
"The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office," the Chief of Staff stated in the petition.
He explained that the forged documents were being used to claim leadership positions in non-existent government bodies, particularly the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
The petition alleged that Adeyemi, who presented himself as the council's Director-General, operated from an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, held meetings with Nigerian and foreign officials, and even sought a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for members of the fake agency.
"The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the Presidency and the credibility of official government communication. I therefore urge you to initiate a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those involved," the Chief of Staff wrote.
Onanuga said the petition was accompanied by copies of the forged appointment letter, visa-related correspondence and photographs obtained from the illegal agency's website.
The statement further disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also raised concerns after Adeyemi reportedly convened a meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja on October 10, 2025, without the ministry's knowledge.
In a letter dated October 15, 2025, the ministry sought clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff, warning that the meeting violated established diplomatic procedures.
"This act contravenes extant rules and regulations guiding diplomatic practices globally," the ministry said.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation subsequently requested clarification from the Chief of Staff after receiving several enquiries regarding the authenticity of Adeyemi's appointment.
Responding on November 5, 2025, the Chief of Staff categorically denied appointing Adeyemi or recognising the council.
"Prince Adeniyi Matthew, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, is unknown to any office, nor do we have any dealings with the said council," the response read.
"My attention was drawn to a letter of this purported application, which is fake, and my office has instructed the police and other relevant security agencies to carry out investigations on the person and the entity he claims to represent."
According to the Presidency, police investigations led to Adeyemi's arrest in Abuja on October 27, 2025, at the office from which he allegedly operated the scheme.
Searches conducted at the premises and his residence in Suleja reportedly uncovered forged appointment letters and other incriminating documents.
Investigators also said Adeyemi claimed one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola helped him obtain the forged appointment letter. However, police later confirmed that Tanimola had died in a hotel fire in Abuja five days before Adeyemi's arrest.
The police reportedly established that the agency was fictitious, the appointment letter was forged, and that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as a presidential appointee while requesting official diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Investigators also alleged that he operated 34 bank accounts, including nine opened in the names of fictitious organisations, and fraudulently secured a Central Bank account after allegedly misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. The Presidency, however, said no government funds were paid into the account.
"The act of the suspect constitutes criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, thereby bringing the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Presidency to disrepute before the public and international community," the police investigation report stated.
Following the investigation, police filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025. The case is scheduled for hearing on July 27.
Onanuga said Adeyemi, while on police bail, recently renewed claims that he was duly appointed by the Chief of Staff, prompting another public disclaimer from the Presidency on June 8.
Describing Adeyemi as a serial fraudster, Onanuga recalled that he had made similar claims in 2016 by presenting himself as an ambassador and President-General of the World Youth Organisation, which he falsely described as a United Nations affiliate before the UN denied the organisation's existence.
The presidential spokesman urged politicians and members of the public not to lend credibility to Adeyemi's allegations against the Chief of Staff, stressing that the matter is already before the court and should be allowed to run its legal course.