Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and Presidential Economic Advisory Council, has maintained that his appointment was legitimate despite facing criminal prosecution over allegations of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Adeyemi, who is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisted that he was innocent of all allegations levelled against him and expressed confidence that the judicial process would ultimately vindicate him.
The embattled official made the remarks during a telephone interview on Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television on Thursday night.
Responding to questions about reports suggesting that he had been avoiding security agencies, Adeyemi categorically denied the allegation, insisting that he had not attempted to evade law enforcement authorities.
“Not at all,” he said when asked whether he had been on the run.
Speaking further, Adeyemi declared that he was fully prepared to defend himself before the court and was confident that justice would prevail once all the facts surrounding the case were examined.
“Definitely, if I am wrong, let the court of law do that; if I am right, let the court of law do the right thing,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to allow the judicial process to run its full course instead of reaching conclusions based on allegations.
“Do you know what? Since the matter is in the court, let the court of competent jurisdiction vindicate me because I am ready to clear my name. Let the court take its course. Since my lawyers are involved, everybody will follow us, they will monitor the whole thing. Let the court of competent jurisdiction do the needful,” he added.
Adeyemi also maintained that he possessed a valid appointment letter authorising his position, although he declined to disclose details because the matter is already before the court.
“I have a letter of appointment. However, since the matter is in the court, I won’t be able to say much about it. I am on medication. I am a bit down, I am sick,” he explained.
When asked whether he considered himself a criminal in view of the charges filed against him, Adeyemi firmly rejected the suggestion.
“No, I am not a criminal. However, the court will do justice to that,” he said.
The former council head also challenged assertions by the Presidency that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was a fictitious organisation.
According to him, it would have been practically impossible for him to operate openly across Nigeria for several years, interact with senior government officials and organise public activities if the agency had no legal existence.
“I want Nigerians to know that, for one second, let us assume the agency does not exist, would I have the temerity, the audacity, to be going all over the country, meeting the heads of ministries, departments and agencies, if I know that the agency does not exist, or as they allege that I cooked up everything?” he asked.
“No Nigerian can dare do that. I could not have summoned the courage to be going from one place to another for almost three years. Nigeria is not a banana republic.”
For several months before his arrest, Adeyemi reportedly operated publicly under the banner of the PFIPC, organising official-looking engagements, holding meetings with government officials and participating in programmes involving ministries, departments and agencies.
The activities of the council attracted widespread public attention after reports emerged that it had allegedly been allocated about ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act, raising questions about the legal status of the organisation and the basis for its funding.
However, the Presidency on Wednesday publicly disowned Adeyemi and described him as an impostor allegedly operating a non-existent government agency through forged official documents.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency stated that investigations conducted by the Nigeria Police Force revealed that Adeyemi allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to the statement, the accused allegedly used the forged documents to establish and operate the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council while presenting himself as a presidential appointee.
The Presidency further alleged that Adeyemi maintained as many as 34 bank accounts, including nine accounts reportedly opened in the names of fictitious government agencies.
Officials also disclosed that Adeyemi was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on October 27, 2025, following a petition submitted by the Chief of Staff, who accused him of forgery and impersonation.
After the investigation, authorities filed an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Adeyemi and two other individuals alleged to have participated in the scheme.
The charges include conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
The Presidency stated that the case has been adjourned until July 27, 2026, when further proceedings are expected to continue before the Federal High Court.
According to the government, concerns over the activities of the purported agency had been raised long before the police investigation commenced.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) reportedly questioned the legitimacy of the organisation and sought clarification regarding its operations after receiving communications purportedly issued in the name of the council.
The latest development follows explosive allegations previously made by Adeyemi against the Chief of Staff to the President.
Adeyemi had accused Femi Gbajabiamila of demanding ₦27.4 billion, representing 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed take-off grant.
He further alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through an intermediary to facilitate his appointment and claimed that an outstanding balance of ₦200 million remained unpaid.
Those allegations were strongly rejected by the Presidency, which described them as baseless and part of an elaborate attempt to legitimise what it considers a fraudulent operation.
Adeyemi has since called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine both his allegations against the Chief of Staff and the controversy surrounding the disputed agency.
He urged the President to order a comprehensive review of all official documents relating to the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and make the findings available to the Nigerian public.
The embattled official also called on Gbajabiamila to temporarily step aside from office pending the outcome of any independent investigation.
With both sides maintaining sharply conflicting positions, the dispute is now expected to be resolved through the judicial process, where the Federal High Court will determine the authenticity of the disputed appointment documents and the criminal allegations brought against Adeyemi and his co-defendants.
The outcome of the case is likely to attract significant public attention, given its implications for public accountability, official appointments and the integrity of government institutions.
About the Author
