Adeyemi Insists Appointment Was Genuine, Dares Court to Decide in Alleged Fake Presidential Council Saga

The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) took a fresh turn on Thursday as Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the disputed body, insisted his appointment was legitimate and vowed to clear his name in court.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adeyemi rejected allegations by the Presidency that he impersonated a government official and forged documents, maintaining that he was lawfully appointed and was prepared to face trial.

“If I’m wrong, let the court of law say so, and if I’m right, let the court of law do the right thing,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that he is a con artist, stressing that the courts would ultimately determine the truth.

“Since the matter is in court, let the court of competent jurisdiction vindicate me because I’m ready to clear my name,” Adeyemi stated, adding that he had been advised by his lawyers not to discuss details of the case publicly.

Responding to questions about the source of funds allegedly used to pay staff of the council, Adeyemi declined to comment, insisting that all issues surrounding the agency would be addressed during the trial.

The Presidency had earlier disowned the PFIPC, describing it as a fictitious organisation. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga accused Adeyemi of impersonation, forgery and fraudulent misrepresentation, alleging that he falsely presented himself as head of a non-existent government agency.

According to Onanuga, police investigations revealed that Adeyemi allegedly used forged documents to open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

He, however, noted that investigators confirmed no government funds were paid into the account.

The Presidency said Adeyemi and two others are facing an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the matter scheduled for hearing on July 27.

In a dramatic twist, Adeyemi alleged that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was aware of his appointment and claimed that disagreements with the presidential aide triggered the current dispute.

He further alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed take-off grant, amounting to over ₦27.3 billion, and claimed he rejected the request after an alleged payment of ₦400 million by proxy, with an outstanding balance of ₦200 million.

Adeyemi urged President Bola Tinubu to constitute an independent panel to investigate the allegations and establish the true status of the council.

Meanwhile, documents from the 2026 Appropriation Bill reportedly show an entry titled “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” with a budgetary allocation of ₦1.303 billion, a development that has further fuelled public debate over the controversy.

The Presidency, however, maintains that the agency does not exist and has urged the court to determine Adeyemi’s culpability based on the outcome of the police investigation.