Alleged Fake Presidential Council Leader Taken Into Custody
The man accused of creating a fake government agency linked to Nigeria’s presidency has been arrested after spending several weeks in hiding. Authorities detained Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew in Osun State after launching a nationwide search for him.
Police acted after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant when Adeyemi failed to appear in court. He faces charges that include forgery and impersonation.
Investigation Began After Presidency Raised Alarm
The case gained national attention after President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation into the organization, which claimed to operate from the presidency. Officials later confirmed that the agency, called the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), was never legally created.
According to the presidency, the document announcing the council’s formation was fake. A forensic examination also found that the signature of the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, had been forged on the appointment letter.
These findings prompted law enforcement agencies to begin a full investigation. Officers from the Force Intelligence Department and the Intelligence Response Team later tracked down and arrested the suspect.
Court Proceedings Continue
Police are expected to transfer Adeyemi to Abuja, where investigators will continue questioning him before the next court hearing.
Earlier, Adeyemi insisted that he had done nothing wrong. In several interviews with local media, he claimed the council was established in 2024 to encourage foreign investment in Nigeria.
He also said he feared for his safety and believed his life was at risk. Although he promised to appear before the court to defend himself, he failed to attend the hearing.
His lawyer, Genesis Francis, told the court that he could not convince his client to appear because of those security concerns. The lawyer added that Adeyemi had written an open letter to President Tinubu explaining his fears.
No Evidence of Investment Projects
Despite claims that the council worked to attract foreign investors, investigators have found no record of successful investment agreements linked to the organization.
The controversy has sparked widespread criticism across Nigeria. Civil society groups, opposition politicians, and senior legal experts have called for an independent investigation to determine how the fake agency operated and whether other people were involved.
Authorities continue to investigate the case as legal proceedings move forward.
