Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), is set to defend Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi following allegations of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and the use of forged presidential documents by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Adeyemi recently accused the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, of bribery, alleging Gbajabiamila demanded N400 million and an additional N200 million to facilitate his appointment as head of a government agency.
Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48% of his agency’s take-off grant of N27.4 billion. He further claimed that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy to secure him the appointment, with an outstanding balance of N200 million.
He challenged the Presidency to conduct an independent panel, demanding that Gbajabiamila produce all official documents signed since taking office for forensic examination.
However, the Presidency on Wednesday mounted a robust defence of Gbajabiamila, releasing a detailed account of investigations it claimed exposed Adeyemi as the operator of a fictitious presidential agency months before he accused the presidential aide of corruption.
The State House said records from the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Nigeria Police Force showed that Adeyemi was never appointed by President Tinubu or any government authority but allegedly forged official documents to present himself as Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has filed an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Adeyemi over allegations of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and the use of forged presidential documents.
Adeyemi has insisted that he is the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), but the government has described the agency as non-existent.
Sources told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that Falana will represent Adeyemi in court.
The charge, filed in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, also listed two other suspects identified only as Femi and Anu, whose surnames were not provided. The two co-defendants are said to be at large.
According to the charge sheet, Adeyemi of the 2nd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, allegedly conspired with the two suspects to forge several official State House and presidential documents.
The prosecution, in Count One, alleged that the defendants conspired to commit forgery.
The charge reads: “That you Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew ‘M’ 38 years of 2nd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex Abuja, Femi surname unknown and Anu surname unknown now at large, on or about 8th day of March, 2024 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit forgery and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2)(c) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”
In Count Two, the Federal Government alleged that the defendant forged a presidential appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The prosecution further alleged in Count Three that the defendants forged official presidential letterheaded papers.
The Federal Government also accused the defendants of forging a request for collaboration involving the Ministry of the Area of Land Requisition and offices across Nigeria’s 36 states.
In Count Five, the prosecution alleged that the defendant falsely presented himself as the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council between 2024 and 2025.
The prosecution further alleged in Count Six that the defendants forged a request for office space purportedly issued from the State House.
In Count Seven, the Federal Government alleged that the defendants forged a request seeking approval of staff account status purportedly issued by the State House.
In the final count, the prosecution accused the defendants of forging a conveyance approval relating to the re-takeoff of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigeria Police had charged Adeyemi over allegations that he forged presidential appointment letters and other official State House documents to operate a fictitious government agency known as the PFIPC.
According to the police, the case originated from a petition submitted by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President following reports that forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the office were being circulated.
The interim investigation report stated: “This report deals with an alleged case of forgery and impersonation reported to the Inspector-General of Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja, via a letter dated 17th October, 2025, from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, State House, Abuja, against one Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew.”
Alleged fake presidential appointment
Police investigators said their findings showed that forged documents bearing fake signatures, seals and reference numbers were used to create the impression that the suspect headed a federal government agency.
According to the report, “Investigation revealed that the forged documents had falsified signatures, reference/folio numbers, and seals, and were used to claim leadership appointments into non-existing entities particularly one known as the ‘Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)’.”
Investigators further alleged that the suspect operated openly from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja while presenting himself as the Director-General of the council.
Arrest and searches
The police said the suspect was arrested on October 27, 2025, at the office from which he allegedly operated.
The report stated: “On 27th October, 2025, the suspect was apprehended at the purported office where he operated. His statement was recorded under word of caution.”
Investigators said search warrants were subsequently executed at the office and at the suspect’s residence in APC Quarters, Suleja, Niger State.
According to the report, “During the search, several vital documents and other exhibits linked to the allegations were recovered and taken into police custody for analysis.”
Claim about deceased associate
Police disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola procured the alleged forged appointment letter for him.
The report stated: “In his statement, the suspect alleged that one Mr. Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in procuring the purported fake appointment letter bearing the title Director-General, Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”
However, investigators said efforts to trace Tanimola revealed that he had died.
According to the report, “Credible information received indicated that he had died as a result of a fire incident at Kachi Hotel, Utako, Abuja.”
Police said interviews with the deceased’s sister, the hotel proprietor, officials of the National Hospital, Abuja, and St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, corroborated the account of his death.
Accountant-General’s staff interviewed
The police also contacted the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation regarding three staff members posted to the suspect’s office.
According to the report, “On 10th November, 2025, the three Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation staff reported at the Unit, made voluntary statement and confirmed that they were posted on 28th August, 2025 to the said office but did not engage in any official activities throughout their period of posting.”
Police discover 34 bank accounts
Investigators said financial intelligence obtained from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) revealed that the suspect maintained numerous bank accounts.
The report stated: “The response received from the NFIU revealed that, the suspect maintains thirty-four (34) active bank accounts domiciled across various commercial banks in Nigeria.”
Police further alleged that the suspect opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria under the name of the purported agency.
Police findings
Summarising their findings, investigators concluded that PFIPC was not a recognised government institution.
Police further alleged that the suspect deliberately forged official presidential documents.
The police concluded that the evidence gathered supported criminal prosecution.
The report stated: “From the totality of evidence gathered, it is clearly established that Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew deliberately forged official documents, including appointment letters and correspondence purportedly emanating from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, to fraudulently represent himself as a Federal Government appointee.”
