The Presidency has dismissed claims by Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed Director-General of a Presidential Economic Advisory Council, insisting that the agency does not exist and that he is standing trial over alleged forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President had, in October 2025, petitioned the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate individuals allegedly forging appointment letters and operating under the name of a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
According to the Presidency, the investigation followed complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council that a parallel agency was operating and presenting itself as a legitimate government institution.
The statement said the Chief of Staff denied ever appointing Adeyemi or authorising the creation of the agency, stressing that appointments into federal offices are the responsibility of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
It added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also raised concerns after Adeyemi reportedly held meetings with diplomats without the ministry’s approval, describing the action as a violation of established diplomatic procedures.
The Presidency said police investigations established that the agency was fictitious and that Adeyemi allegedly forged appointment documents, falsely presented himself as a government appointee, sought official diplomatic support for visa applications, and operated multiple bank accounts linked to non-existent agencies.
According to the statement, police also alleged that he fraudulently opened a Central Bank of Nigeria account using forged documents, although no government funds were paid into the account.
The Presidency said Adeyemi was arrested in Abuja in October 2025, and an eight-count charge was subsequently filed against him and two other suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 27.
The Presidency urged politicians and members of the public to refrain from making conclusions about the case, noting that the matter is before the court and remains sub judice.
