Five Government Officials Quizzed Over Alleged Fake Presidential Council
Five senior government officials have been questioned by security agencies over their alleged roles in helping a suspected fraudster establish a fictitious presidential council and gain access to government facilities, official processes and public funds.
The officials comprise two directors from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a Special Assistant in the Budget Office, an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and a staff member seconded from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
They were among 22 suspects questioned as part of a police investigation into allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, obtaining money under false pretences, theft of public funds and money laundering.
The investigation centres on Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of a fictitious Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
According to a police investigation report dated July 24, 2026, Adeyemi allegedly used forged documents to secure government recognition, office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat, an administrative code, approval to recruit about 300 staff and other official privileges.
The investigation also revealed that the purported council was allocated approximately N1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act, while attempts were allegedly made to open accounts for the organisation with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Police investigators alleged that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside other documents presented as evidence of the establishment of the council.
A forensic examination reportedly found that the signatures on the disputed appointment documents did not correspond with Gbajabiamila's specimen signature.
A former Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, also reportedly denied signing a document used in the purported establishment of the council.
According to the police, officials across several government institutions failed to carry out adequate due diligence before processing requests submitted by Adeyemi. The lapses allegedly enabled the fictitious organisation to secure official privileges.
Alleged N400m Contract Fraud
The investigation further revealed that Adeyemi allegedly received N400 million from a businessman, Oyekunle Gbenga Collins, after promising to facilitate a N2.8 billion renovation contract.
Police analysis of the suspect's bank accounts reportedly showed that N380 million was paid in four tranches into an account belonging to his company, while another N20 million was deposited into a separate business account.
Investigators alleged that Adeyemi subsequently spent part of the funds on two vehicles and transferred substantial sums to personal accounts and family members.
The police said the financial findings contradicted Adeyemi's claim that he converted the N400 million into foreign currency and handed it to Gbajabiamila through a deceased associate.
Investigators also found that the suspect obtained a N100 million loan from a microfinance bank and allegedly collected additional funds from members of the public under the guise of facilitating diplomatic passports, visas and other official documents.
The police said Adeyemi had previously been arrested in October 2025 and charged with criminal conspiracy and forgery.
However, a subsequent petition by Gbajabiamila in June 2026 triggered a fresh investigation by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre.
The investigation involved requests for information from several government institutions, including the State House, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Budget Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria and Corporate Affairs Commission.
Police Recommend Possible Prosecution
Following the investigation, the police recommended that the five government officials and other suspects face possible prosecution, subject to legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Force has also forwarded an interim investigation report to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, requesting that the existing charges against Adeyemi be amended to reflect the latest findings.
Investigators are further seeking clarification from the National Assembly on how the purported organisation allegedly defended and secured an estimated N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget.
The case has raised concerns over due diligence and verification procedures within government institutions, particularly how allegedly forged documents were able to pass through multiple layers of official scrutiny and result in access to government facilities and processes.
The police investigation is ongoing, with the final decision on prosecution expected to follow legal review by the appropriate authorities.
