‘I Am Not A Criminal, Let Court Vindicate Me’ — Alleged Fake Presidential DG Adeyemi Insists Appointment Was Genuine Despite Forgery, Impersonation Charges

Abuja, Nigeria– Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and Presidential Economic Advisory Council, has insisted that his appointment was genuine despite facing criminal charges bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Adeyemi, who is currently being prosecuted following investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, maintained that he was not evading the law and expressed confidence that the court would eventually vindicate him.

He made the remarks on Thursday during a telephone interview on Politics Today, a programme aired by Channels Television.

When asked directly whether he was on the run or avoiding law enforcement authorities, Adeyemi responded, “Not at all.”

Speaking further on his readiness to stand trial over the allegations levelled against him, he said he had nothing to hide and was prepared to allow the judicial process run its course.

“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,” Adeyemi stated during the interview.

“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.”

Adeyemi also claimed that he possessed a valid appointment letter backing his position as Director-General of the agency which the Presidency has since described as fictitious.

“I have a letter of appointment. However, since the matter is in the court, I won’t be able to say much about it,” he said.

The embattled claimant further disclosed that he was currently unwell.

“I am on medication. I am a bit down, I am sick,” he added.

When asked whether he considered himself a criminal in view of the allegations against him, Adeyemi denied wrongdoing and again insisted that the courts would determine the truth.

“No, I am not a criminal. However, the court will do justice to that,” he said.

Addressing widespread claims that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council never existed as a recognised government institution, Adeyemi questioned why he would openly operate across the country for years if the organisation was fabricated.

“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 queried.

“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, Adeyemi reportedly operated publicly in the name of the PFIPC, organising meetings, attending official engagements and interacting with various government agencies and institutions.

The purported council was also said to have hosted high-profile events and reportedly secured a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 national budget, further fuelling public confusion over its legitimacy.

However, the Presidency on Wednesday dismissed Adeyemi’s claims and officially described him as an impostor facing criminal prosecution over an alleged forgery and impersonation scheme.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency disclosed that police investigations allegedly uncovered forged presidential documents linked to Adeyemi.

According to the statement, investigators found that Adeyemi allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Presidency further alleged that Adeyemi operated a non-existent government agency and maintained no fewer than 34 bank accounts, including nine accounts allegedly opened in the names of fictitious government bodies.

The statement added that Adeyemi was arrested by police operatives on October 27, 2025, after Gbajabiamila petitioned security agencies over what was described as an elaborate scheme involving forgery and impersonation.

According to the Presidency, the Nigeria Police Force subsequently filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges reportedly include conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

The Presidency also disclosed that the matter has been scheduled to come up in court on July 27, 2026.

It further revealed that both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission had earlier raised concerns about the activities of the controversial agency before the commencement of police investigations.

The Presidency’s rebuttal came shortly after Adeyemi publicly accused Gbajabiamila of demanding N27.4 billion, allegedly representing 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed take-off grant.

Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received N400 million through a proxy to facilitate his appointment, claiming that an outstanding balance of N200 million remained unpaid.

Following the controversy, Adeyemi called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel to probe the allegations surrounding the disputed agencies.

He urged the panel to review all official documents connected to the matter and make its findings public.

Adeyemi further demanded that Gbajabiamila should step aside from office pending the outcome of the proposed investigation.