The Presidency has provided details of the investigation into the activities of Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew, whom it described as an impostor accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
According to the Presidency, concerns first emerged after complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), prompting the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President to petition the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force on October 17, 2025, over alleged forged appointment letters purportedly issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff.
The petition alleged that Adeyemi and others forged official documents bearing falsified signatures, reference numbers and seals to claim appointments into a non-existent government agency. The Presidency said the group operated from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, held meetings with local and foreign stakeholders, and sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa applications.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier raised concerns in a letter dated October 15, 2025, after Adeyemi reportedly met with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja without the Ministry’s involvement. The Ministry described the action as inconsistent with established diplomatic procedures and sought clarification from relevant government offices.
Subsequently, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation requested clarification on the status of the purported agency.
In separate responses, the Office of the Chief of Staff denied appointing Adeyemi or recognising the council, maintaining that no such agency exists and reiterating that appointments of that nature do not originate from the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Following investigations, the Nigeria Police arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025. Searches conducted at his office and residence reportedly led to the recovery of documents and other exhibits linked to the investigation.
According to the police, investigations established that the purported council was fictitious and that documents used by Adeyemi, including his appointment letter, were forged. The police also alleged that he falsely presented himself as a government official and sought official diplomatic assistance under false pretences.
Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, including several linked to entities described as fictitious organisations. The police also claimed he fraudulently opened a Central Bank of Nigeria account using forged documents, while noting that no government funds were paid into the account.
Based on its findings, the Nigeria Police filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two other suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025. The case is scheduled to come up on July 27.
The Presidency said Adeyemi, while on police bail, recently renewed claims that he had been appointed by the Chief of Staff as Director-General of the purported council. It said the claim contradicted his earlier statement to investigators and prompted the Office of the Chief of Staff to issue another public disclaimer on June 8.
The Presidency urged members of the public and political actors to refrain from making conclusions while the matter remains before the court, noting that the case is sub judice and should be allowed to run its course through the judicial process.
