Meet Adeniyi Matthew The Alleged Presidential Appointee Who Reportedly Forged Documents To Head Non-Existent Agency

Adeniyi Matthew is a Nigerian whose name has recently attracted attention following allegations made by the Presidency.

Recall that the Presidency has firmly denied claims by one Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed to head a presidential agency, describing him as an impostor who allegedly forged official government documents to present himself as the Director-General of a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

In a detailed statement released on Tuesday night, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Adeyemi also falsely claimed to be a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, insisting that neither assertion has any basis in fact.

Presidency Explains How Alleged Fraud Was Discovered

According to Onanuga, the matter first came to the attention of the Presidency after the Office of the Chief of Staff received complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) about an organisation allegedly operating as a parallel government agency.

The statement explained that the Chief of Staff subsequently petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force on October 17, 2025, requesting a comprehensive investigation into individuals allegedly forging appointment letters purportedly issued from his office.

According to the Presidency, the petition alleged that forged appointment letters bearing counterfeit signatures, official seals and reference numbers were being used to confer leadership positions in a council that does not exist within the Federal Government.

Suspect Allegedly Operated from Federal Secretariat

The Presidency further alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he reportedly received visitors, held meetings with Nigerians and foreign nationals, and represented himself as a senior government official.

Investigators also alleged that he sought a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the processing of United States visas for individuals associated with the purported agency.

Describing the matter as a serious attempt to undermine the integrity of the Presidency, the Chief of Staff reportedly urged security agencies to identify everyone involved in the alleged forgery and ensure they were prosecuted.

The Presidency said its petition included copies of the alleged forged appointment letter, visa-related correspondence and photographs obtained from the website of the purported council.

Questions Raised After Ambassadors’ Meeting

According to the statement, additional concerns emerged after Adeyemi allegedly organised a meeting involving ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Asokoro, Abuja, on October 10, 2025, without the knowledge or approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry, through a letter dated October 15, 2025, and signed by Ambassador Anderson Madubuike, reportedly sought clarification from both the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff, warning that the meeting violated established diplomatic procedures.

The inquiry eventually reached the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), which requested clarification from the Chief of Staff.

In response, the Presidency said the Chief of Staff categorically denied appointing Adeyemi or authorising the establishment of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, stressing that appointments into federal offices are processed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

A follow-up letter dated November 5, 2025, again reaffirmed that neither Adeyemi nor the purported council was recognised by the Presidency.

Police Investigation and Criminal Charges

The statement disclosed that police investigators arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at the Abuja office from where he allegedly operated the scheme.

Searches conducted at both the office and his residence in Suleja reportedly uncovered documents and other materials considered relevant to the investigation.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi informed investigators that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in obtaining the alleged forged appointment letter.

However, investigators later established that Tanimola had died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja just five days before Adeyemi’s arrest.

Following their investigation, police reportedly concluded that the council was fictitious and that the appointment letter and other official documents allegedly used by Adeyemi had been forged.

Authorities also alleged that he falsely presented himself as a presidential appointee while attempting to obtain diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa processing.

Alleged Multiple Bank Accounts

The Presidency further alleged that investigators uncovered 34 bank accounts linked to Adeyemi, including nine reportedly opened in the names of fictitious government agencies.

Among the entities allegedly used were the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership (FIPA-APP).

Investigators also claimed that forged documents were used to open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. However, they reportedly found no evidence that public funds had been deposited into the account.

Onanuga stated that, following the completion of the investigation, the police arraigned Adeyemi and two other suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025.

The defendants are facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The case is scheduled to resume on July 27.

Presidency Warns Public Against Claims

The Presidency said that while on police bail, Adeyemi allegedly renewed his claims that he had been appointed Director-General of the council by the Chief of Staff, a position it said contradicted the statements he earlier made to investigators.

According to the statement, those renewed claims prompted the Chief of Staff to issue another public disclaimer on June 8, 2026, reaffirming that Adeyemi was not a presidential appointee and describing him as an impostor.

The statement also alleged that Adeyemi had previously misrepresented himself as the President-General of the World Youth Organisation in 2016, claiming it was affiliated with the United Nations before the organisation was reportedly disowned.

The Presidency urged politicians and members of the public to disregard Adeyemi’s assertions and allow the judicial process to determine the matter, noting that the case is already before a competent court.

It added that all parties should refrain from actions or statements capable of prejudicing the ongoing legal proceedings until the court delivers its judgment.