Presidency debunks ₦400m bribery allegation against Gbajabiamila

The Presidency has disowned a man identified as Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, accusing him of operating a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and falsely presenting it as a legitimate Federal Government agency.

The suspect was also alleged to have operated a so-called Presidential Economic Advisory Council, using forged documents, fake appointment letters, and official-looking seals to claim government recognition and engage with both local and foreign stakeholders.

The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the Presidency, the matter first came to light after the Office of the Chief of Staff received complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) about the activities of an unauthorised body operating alongside recognised government institutions.

The statement said the Chief of Staff subsequently petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force on October 17, 2025, prompting an investigation into alleged forgery and impersonation linked to the Presidency.

It added that the suspect allegedly used the fake organisation to host meetings, engage foreign diplomatic missions, and even request diplomatic support, including a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa processing purposes.

Following an expanded investigation involving the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, security operatives arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025.

Police investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect operated multiple bank accounts under various fictitious organisations and relied on forged documents to create the impression that his activities had official government backing.

The Presidency stressed that neither the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council nor the Presidential Economic Advisory Council exists within the structure of the Federal Government or the State House.

It warned Nigerians against dealing with individuals or groups claiming affiliation with non-existent presidential bodies, adding that the suspect and his alleged accomplices have already been charged to court and that legal proceedings are ongoing.