A complex web of alleged impersonation, bribery, and questionable budgetary allocations has embroiled the Nigerian Presidency.
This, pitting the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against self- proclaimed Director-General of a non- existent government agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.
While the unfolding scandal has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and raised serious concerns about govt integrity and the 2026 national budget.
The Allegations: Bribery and a Fictitious Council
The controversy ignited with claims from Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who has been parading himself as the Director-General of the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) or “Presidential Economic Advisory Council” (PEAC).
Adeyemi alleges that Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila demanded N27.4 billion as a take-off grant for the purported agency and received N400 million in bribes to secure his appointment, with outstanding balance of N200 million.
Adeyemi further claimed that a fallout over the remaining balance led to tensions and alleged assassination
attempts on his life.
Presidency’s Strong Denial: A ‘Serial Con Artist’
The Presidency has vehemently refuted Adeyemi’s claims, labeling him a “serial con artist” and an “impostor”.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement clarifying that no such agency as the PFIPC or PEAC exists under President Bola Tinubu, therefore, no appointment could have been made for it.
The Chief of Staff’s office also clarified that it does not make appointments or issue letters for such roles, as these are the exclusive preserve of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Police Investigation and Charges
The Office of the Chief of Staff first alerted the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force in October 2025, requesting investigation into “fraudsters and imposters” forging appointment letters.
Police investigations led to Adeyemi’s arrest in Abuja on October 27, 2025, at an office he used for his alleged scam and the search of his office and home in Suleja reportedly uncovered vital documents and exhibits.
According to police findings, Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, with nine opened in the names of fictitious agencies like the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Public
Private Partnership (FIPA-APP).
He also allegedly fraudulently opened a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account by misleading the Office of the Accountant- General of the Federation, though no govt money was transferred into it.
The police report concluded that Adeyemi’s actions constituted “criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence,” bringing disrepute to the Presidency.
Consequently, Adeyemi and two accomplices were charged with an eight-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025, with a hearing scheduled for July 27, 2026.
The Budgetary Conundrum: N27.4 Billion vs N1.3 Billion
A significant twist in the saga emerged with revelations that 2026 Appropriation Act reportedly includes an allocation for the very council the Presidency denies exists.
While Adeyemi initially cited N27.4 billion, reports indicate a N1.3 billion allocation to the “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council”.
This allocation includes N802.9 million for personnel costs, N200 million for
overhead expenses, and N300 million for capital projects.
This discrepancy has sparked widespread concern, with critics questioning how a nonexistent entity could receive budgetary provisions for salaries, operations, and capital expenditure.
Adeyemi, in his defense, pointed to the existence of such official records, including CBN accounts, federal office space, and approval for over 300 personnel, arguing that these contradict the Presidency’s assertion of the council’s non-existence.
Political Fallout and Calls for Investigation
The scandal has quickly become a political hot potato. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called
for the immediate suspension of Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila and an independent investigation into the allegations.
Atiku argued that the allocation of N27.4 billion (or N1.3 billion) to a non-existent agency raises serious questions about the integrity of the entire 2026 national budget and constitutes a “colossal budgetary fraud”.
He urged President Tinubu to lead by example and hold his appointees accountable.
Adeyemi’s Past: A History of Impersonation
The Presidency has highlighted Adeyemi’s history of fraudulent misrepresentation, noting that in November 2016, he paraded himself as an ambassador and President-General of fictitious “World Youth Organisation (WYO), claiming affiliation with the United Nations (UN) which was later debunked by the UN.
Sub Judice: Awaiting Court’s Verdict
With the matter now before the Federal High Court, the Presidency has advised politicians and the public to refrain from speculating and to await the court’s judgment, emphasizing that comments made at this stage are sub judice as the trial is set to resume on July 27, 2026, where further details are expected to emerge.
