Fake Agency Scandal: Presidency Under Fire as FG Prosecutes Alleged DG

The Presidency came under renewed public attention on Wednesday over the activities of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is facing prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged forgery, impersonation and conspiracy linked to a non-existent government agency.

The development also drew calls from senior lawyer Femi Falana for an independent investigation into both Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Adeyemi is standing trial on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force after he was accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an agency the Federal Government said does not exist. He was also accused of forging an appointment letter said to have been signed by Gbajabiamila and creating official documents to give legitimacy to the organisation.

In a statement released by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency outlined the police investigation and court charges against Adeyemi. It said Gbajabiamila reported the matter to security agencies in October 2025 after discovering that forged documents bearing his name and signature were being used to present the fake agency as an official government body.

According to the Presidency, police investigations showed that Adeyemi and two other suspects, who are still at large, allegedly forged appointment letters, official State House documents and other correspondence. They were also accused of impersonating government officials and using the documents to conduct meetings with local and foreign stakeholders.

The statement explained that concerns about the activities of the organisation first arose after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission noticed another body performing similar functions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also raised questions after Adeyemi reportedly hosted foreign diplomats without notifying the ministry.

Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, including several opened in the names of agencies that do not exist. Police also claimed he fraudulently secured a Central Bank of Nigeria account using forged documents presented to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Although investigators said no government funds entered the account, they described the action as an attempt to gain access to official financial systems and recommended that all the accounts be frozen.

Searches carried out at Adeyemi’s office and residence reportedly led to the recovery of forged appointment letters, official letterheads, photographs and several documents connected to the alleged scheme. Police also said three government officials posted to the office carried out no official assignments during their stay.

The Presidency also linked Adeyemi to an earlier incident in 2016 when he allegedly presented himself as the head of a youth organisation he claimed was connected to the United Nations. It said the UN later denied any affiliation with the organisation.

While urging the public not to draw conclusions before the court decides the case, the Presidency advised politicians against using the matter to attack the Chief of Staff, insisting that the criminal trial should be allowed to run its course.

Falana, however, maintained that the Presidency could not clear anyone involved in the controversy. He said only law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies have the authority to investigate such allegations.

He called for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to examine the roles of both Adeyemi and Gbajabiamila, including claims surrounding budget allocations and the opening of official bank accounts linked to the disputed agency.

Adeyemi, in his own response, denied wrongdoing and accused Gbajabiamila of making conflicting statements about the agency. He alleged that the Chief of Staff demanded money in connection with his appointment and asked President Bola Tinubu to set up an independent panel to investigate the entire matter. He also requested that Gbajabiamila step aside while investigations are ongoing.

The Presidency noted that this was the second public disclaimer it had issued concerning Adeyemi. It recalled that on June 11, Gbajabiamila informed the public, foreign missions and financial institutions that neither the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council nor the Presidential Economic Advisory Council had any official recognition under the Tinubu administration.

The criminal case is scheduled to continue in court on July 27, 2026.