Presidency reveals how impostor met ministers, ambassadors, ran fake office at federal secretariat

An alleged impostor, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, operated a fake federal government agency from an office at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, where he reportedly held meetings with ministers, foreign ambassadors and senior government officials before his arrest, fresh details from the Presidency have revealed.

The revelations emerged amid renewed public interest in Adeyemi’s claim that he was appointed Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

Investigations into the matter reportedly began after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council raised concerns over another organisation carrying out activities similar to those of a government agency.

According to findings released by the Presidency, Adeyemi allegedly established an office on the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, where he operated as the head of the non-existent council and received both local and foreign visitors.

One of the high-profile engagements allegedly organised by Adeyemi was a meeting with foreign ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja on October 10, 2025, without the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting reportedly triggered concerns within the ministry, which subsequently sought clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President over the status of the agency.

Further investigations allegedly uncovered forged appointment letters bearing fake presidential signatures, official seals and reference numbers, which were used to present the agency as a legitimate government institution.

Authorities also alleged that Adeyemi sought diplomatic privileges by requesting a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for himself and members of his purported staff.

Police investigators later arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at the Federal Secretariat office where he allegedly operated the fake agency.

Searches conducted at the office and his residence in Suleja, Niger State, reportedly led to the recovery of forged documents and other exhibits linked to the investigation.

Investigators also claimed to have uncovered 34 bank accounts connected to Adeyemi, including several allegedly opened in the names of fictitious government agencies, as well as a Central Bank of Nigeria account reportedly obtained through false representations. Authorities, however, said no government funds were paid into the account.

The police subsequently filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two other suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case is scheduled to come up on July 27, 2026.

The Presidency maintained that the Office of the Chief of Staff neither appoints heads of government agencies nor creates federal institutions, insisting that the purported council never existed within the Federal Government.