Fake Economic Council DG Faces Fraud Trial -Presidency

Katsinatimes 

The Presidency has dismissed claims by Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed as Director-General of a so-called Presidential Economic Advisory Council, describing the organisation as fictitious and its activities as part of an elaborate fraud scheme.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the Office of the Chief of Staff had, in October 2025, alerted security agencies to the activities of individuals allegedly forging official appointment letters and impersonating government officials.

According to the statement, the investigation began after complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council over the operations of a parallel body allegedly presenting itself as a federal agency under the name "Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council" and "Presidential Economic Advisory Council."

The Chief of Staff reportedly petitioned the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing the suspects of forging official documents, falsifying government seals and signatures, and using the fake appointments to engage with diplomats, foreign investors and public officials.

The Presidency said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also raised concerns after Adeyemi allegedly convened a meeting with ambassadors in Abuja without the ministry's knowledge, an action it described as contrary to established diplomatic procedures.

Police investigations later established that the agency was non-existent and that the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged, the statement added.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi was arrested in Abuja on October 27, 2025, while operating from an office at the Federal Secretariat. Security operatives reportedly recovered forged documents during searches of his office and residence in Suleja.

Investigators also alleged that the suspect operated 34 bank accounts, including several opened in the names of fictitious agencies, and fraudulently secured the opening of a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account using forged government documents. However, the Presidency said no public funds were transferred into the account.

The Police subsequently filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025. The case is scheduled for hearing on July 27, 2026.

The Presidency said Adeyemi's recent claim that he was legitimately appointed by the Chief of Staff contradicted his earlier statement to investigators and prompted another public disclaimer from the Presidency.

It further urged politicians and members of the public to refrain from spreading what it described as false claims while the matter remains before the court, stressing that the case is sub judice and should be left to judicial determination.