FG Reaffirms July 27 Arraignment of Alleged Fake Presidential Agency Boss Over Impersonation, Forgery

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man accused of posing as the head of non-existent presidential agencies and forging official government documents, will be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 27, 2026, following the completion of investigations by the Nigeria Police Force.

The government said the case centres on an elaborate scheme involving alleged impersonation, forgery, false representation and the creation of fictitious government institutions purportedly operating under the Presidency.

The clarification was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who dismissed claims suggesting that Adeyemi had any legitimate appointment or recognition from the Presidency.

According to Onanuga, Adeyemi allegedly established and operated fake presidential bodies, including the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, using forged documents and fabricated appointments to mislead both local and international stakeholders.

He explained that the alleged fraud first came to light after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) alerted the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President over conflicting claims of authority made by an unknown organisation claiming presidential backing.

The development prompted the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to formally notify security agencies in a letter dated October 17, 2025, requesting an investigation into the activities of suspected impostors.

According to the statement, Gbajabiamila warned that individuals had been forging official appointment letters purportedly issued from his office and using them to deceive government agencies and foreign organisations.

“The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office,” the Chief of Staff stated.

He further explained that the suspects had been using forged official documents bearing falsified signatures, seals and reference numbers to claim appointments into government bodies that did not exist.

“The fake documents, bearing falsified signatures, reference/folio numbers, and seals, have been used to claim leadership appointments to non-existent entities,” the letter added.

The Presidency said the suspects allegedly went beyond producing fake documents by holding meetings with foreign diplomats and international organisations while presenting themselves as authorised representatives of the Federal Government.

Investigators also alleged that the group sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including requests for visa facilitation using fraudulent presidential documents.

Describing the development as a serious threat to the credibility of government institutions, the Chief of Staff warned that the activities of the suspects had the potential to damage Nigeria’s image internationally.

“The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the Presidency and the credibility of official government communication,” the letter stated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently raised fresh concerns after Adeyemi reportedly organised an unauthorised diplomatic engagement in Abuja in October 2025.

According to correspondence cited in the statement, the ministry maintained that the meeting violated established diplomatic protocols and international standards governing official engagements.

“This act contravenes extant rules and regulations guiding diplomatic practices globally,” the ministry reportedly stated.

Police investigations led to Adeyemi’s arrest in Abuja on October 27, 2025, at a location authorities described as a “fictitious secretariat” allegedly used for the operation of the fake presidential agencies.

A search of his residence in Suleja reportedly resulted in the recovery of numerous documents and exhibits believed to be connected to the alleged fraud.

Investigators also traced several bank accounts allegedly opened under fabricated institutional names, which they believe were used in operating the fake organisations.

The police further alleged that Adeyemi attempted to obtain official diplomatic assistance through forged government documents.

According to the police investigation report cited by the Presidency, the suspect’s actions amounted to criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

“The act of the suspect constitutes criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, thereby bringing the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Presidency to disrepute before the public and international community,” the report stated.

Following the conclusion of investigations, the Nigeria Police Force filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on July 27, 2026.

Onanuga also disclosed that Adeyemi was already on police bail when he allegedly resurfaced with fresh public claims that he had been officially appointed by the Presidency.

The Presidential spokesman described those claims as entirely false, stressing that the Federal Government had repeatedly disowned Adeyemi and warned members of the public against dealing with him.

He noted that the Office of the Chief of Staff had issued several public disclaimers making it clear that no such presidential appointments or agencies existed.

The statement further linked Adeyemi to earlier controversies dating back to 2016, when he allegedly claimed affiliation with an international organisation before being publicly disowned.

The Federal Government reiterated that only officially gazetted agencies and duly authorised presidential appointments should be recognised by the public, warning that anyone dealing with self-proclaimed government officials without proper verification does so at their own risk.