Malik Yahya/
The Presidency has revealed that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly posed as the Director-General of a non-existent Presidential Economic Advisory Council, operated no fewer than 34 bank accounts as part of what it described as an elaborate impersonation and forgery scheme.
According to a statement issued today by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, police investigations uncovered that nine of the accounts were opened in the names of fictitious government agencies allegedly created by Adeyemi, including the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership (FIPA-APP).
The Presidency said investigations also showed that the suspect fraudulently secured the opening of a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, although no government funds were paid into the account.
Onanuga said Adeyemi falsely paraded himself as the Director-General of a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, using forged appointment letters purportedly issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
He explained that the Office of the Chief of Staff first alerted security agencies after complaints emerged that an unknown government agency appeared to be operating alongside the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC).
The Chief of Staff subsequently petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, requesting an investigation into individuals allegedly forging presidential appointment letters and presenting themselves as government officials.
According to the Presidency, Adeyemi and his associates established an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, held meetings with foreign diplomats and Nigerian officials, and even sought a diplomatic note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visa applications for members of the purported agency.
The activities reportedly triggered concerns within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which sought clarification from both the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff after Adeyemi held a meeting with ambassadors without official authorisation.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation also requested clarification following enquiries from government agencies and other organisations.
The Chief of Staff consistently denied any knowledge of Adeyemi or the purported council, stressing that no such agency existed and that his office neither issued the alleged appointment letter nor had the authority to make such appointments.
Police arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025, following investigations initiated by the Presidency. Searches conducted at his office and residence allegedly yielded forged appointment letters and other incriminating documents.
The Presidency said investigators established that the agency was fictitious, the appointment letter was forged, and Adeyemi falsely presented himself as a presidential appointee while soliciting official recognition from government institutions.
Police concluded that the suspect’s actions amounted to forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, thereby bringing the Presidency into disrepute.
Based on the investigation, the Nigeria Police filed an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on November 27, 2025, against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices. The case is scheduled to come up on July 27.
The Presidency further alleged that while on police bail, Adeyemi renewed claims that he had been appointed by the Chief of Staff, prompting another public disclaimer from the Presidency on June 8.
Onanuga described Adeyemi as a serial impostor with a history of false representation, recalling that he similarly claimed in 2016 to head a purported United Nations-affiliated organisation before the UN disowned the body.
He urged politicians and members of the public to refrain from promoting the suspect’s claims, noting that the matter is before the court and should be allowed to proceed without prejudice.
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He should be prosecuted accordingly, to serve as a deterrence to would be fraudsters like him.