By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The Presidency has come under fresh public and legal scrutiny over Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who is facing eight counts of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Charges
The Police alleged that Adeyemi operated a fictitious body called the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council/Presidential Economic Advisory Council. He is also accused of forging a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, forging State House letterheads, and impersonating as Director-General of the non-existent council.
Count Two states he “forged an appointment letter purported to have been issued by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila”.
Count Five alleges he “falsely personate as the Director-General”. He and two accomplices, Femi and Anu, are charged under FHC/ABJ/CR/2025. He is due in court on July 27, 2026.
How the Case Began
The Presidency said Gbajabiamila petitioned the DSS and Police on October 17, 2025, over an alleged forgery scheme. Adeyemi was arrested October 27, 2025, at the Federal Secretariat Complex.The matter was first flagged after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised concerns. MFA wrote on October 15, 2025, after Adeyemi hosted ambassadors at Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro, without ministry engagement.
Gbajabiamila said in his petition that the fake documents were used to “claim leadership appointments to non-existent entities” and even request a Note Verbale from the U.S. Embassy for visas.
Police Findings
Assistant Commissioner Kabir Mogaji’s report found Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, nine in names of fictitious agencies. Police allege he fraudulently opened a CBN account using forged documents, though “no government money had been transferred”. Police recommended freezing all 34 accounts.Searches recovered forged letters, letterheads, and correspondence. Adeyemi told police one Dolapo Tanimola helped procure the forged letter. Police said Tanimola died in a fire at Kachi Hotel, Utako, on October 22, 2025.The Presidency said Adeyemi had a prior case in 2016, when he paraded as “President-General of the World Youth Organisation” until the UN denied it.
Presidency Response, Falana Reacts
Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga said the matter should not be “weaponised politically” and urged the public to await trial. The Presidency has twice distanced itself, including a June 11, 2026 disclaimer by Gbajabiamila. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana said the Presidency cannot exonerate anyone. “It is the duty of the police and anti-graft agencies to investigate… The Presidency can only refer Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as the other individual, to the ICPC”. Falana also queried how a “N24bn” budget line and a CBN account linked to an unknown agency arose.
Adeyemi’s Counter-Claims
Adeyemi, at a press conference Thursday, accused Gbajabiamila of contradictions and alleged he was asked for 48% of a N27.4bn take-off grant. He called for an independent panel and said Gbajabiamila should step aside.
