Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of presenting himself as the head of a fake presidential agency, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after pleading not guilty to charges involving alleged forgery and impersonation. Prosecutors told the court that Adeyemi allegedly operated the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and used documents that appeared to show presidential approval for the organisation and his appointment as its Director-General.
The case has drawn attention because the purported agency reportedly managed to establish contacts with government institutions and obtain an office within the Federal Secretariat before authorities publicly questioned its legitimacy. The Presidency has maintained that it never created the PFIPC and that Adeyemi was not appointed to head such an organisation.
Fake presidential agency faces government scrutiny
The controversy surrounding the PFIPC became public after the Office of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu issued a disclaimer in June 2026. Femi Gbajabiamila said the alleged organisation did not exist under the administration and stated that his office had not appointed Adeyemi to the position he claimed to hold. The notice also warned government institutions, diplomatic missions, financial organisations and other bodies about the purported appointment.
The government later took further action over the matter. In July, President Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the purported council and the circumstances surrounding its operations. The Presidency said the organisation had no basis in law, presidential approval or any other lawful government instrument.
The investigation has revealed allegations involving several government documents and institutions. According to the State House, investigators were asked to examine purported appointment letters, requests for official recognition, attempts to obtain diplomatic assistance and bank accounts allegedly opened in the names of purported government agencies.
A House of Representatives committee investigating the controversy also reported that it found no valid law, executive order or other lawful authority establishing the PFIPC. Its preliminary findings said the purported organisation operated under different names and that government institutions could not produce an authentic record showing that President Tinubu or another competent authority had established it.
Adeyemi faces forgery and impersonation allegations
Prosecutors have accused Adeyemi of using allegedly forged documents to give the purported agency an appearance of legitimacy. Reuters reported that authorities allege he created the fictitious organisation and fraudulently presented himself as its Director-General. The prosecution also linked him to documents that allegedly carried the names or signatures of senior government officials.
The allegations go beyond the purported appointment. Earlier government investigations found that Adeyemi allegedly used documents connected to the PFIPC when dealing with public institutions. The State House said the organisation had sought official recognition and diplomatic support, including assistance connected to visa facilitation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also previously reported concerns about the organisation. According to the ministry, it received requests from Adeyemi seeking collaboration and endorsement for an investment summit but declined to act after officials identified discrepancies in the documents submitted. The ministry subsequently sought clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser about the status of Adeyemi and the purported council.
The investigation also found allegations involving other purported agencies. The ICPC said Adeyemi allegedly created organisations including the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership, using documents that investigators described as forged. The commission said he allegedly used the documents to present the organisations as legitimate government institutions and open bank accounts in their names.
Despite the allegations, Adeyemi has denied wrongdoing and maintains that the PFIPC is legitimate. Reuters reported that he pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court. He was subsequently remanded pending further proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for October 12, 2026.
The case therefore remains before the court, and the allegations against Adeyemi have not been established as criminal guilt. His remand is part of the ongoing judicial process as the prosecution presents its case and the defence responds to the charges.
