The presidency has accused Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of the alleged presidential foreign intervention promotion council, of forging an appointment letter and falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, said Adeyemi led the so-called presidential foreign intervention promotion council, which the federal government insists does not exist.
The statement comes amid recent allegations by Adeyemi that Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, demanded a N400 million bribe.
‘CHIEF OF STAFF PETITIONED SECURITY AGENCIES’
Onanuga said Gbajabiamila reported the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in October 2025 after receiving complaints that the alleged agency was operating alongside the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
According to Onanuga, the chief of staff informed security agencies that forged appointment letters carrying his signature, reference numbers and official seals were being used to legitimise the non-existent agency.
“The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office,” the petition reads.
The presidential spokesperson said Gbajabiamila could not have appointed Adeyemi since the agency in question does not exist.
He added that appointments into government offices are handled through the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF), not the office of the chief of staff.
Onanuga said police arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025, and recovered several forged documents during searches conducted at his office and residence.
He said investigators found that Adeyemi allegedly forged his appointment letter, falsely posed as a government appointee, and attempted to obtain a note verbale from the ministry of foreign affairs to secure US visas for himself and members of the purported council.
The presidential aide further alleged that police discovered 34 bank accounts linked to Adeyemi, including nine reportedly opened in the names of fictitious agencies.
He said Adeyemi allegedly used forged documents to open a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account after misleading the office of the accountant-general of the federation.
However, Onanuga noted that investigators found no evidence that public funds were paid into the account.
‘CASE ALREADY BEFORE COURT’
Onanuga said the police filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two others at the federal high court in Abuja on November 27, 2025.
The case is expected to be heard again on July 27.
He added that Adeyemi’s recent claim that Gbajabiamila appointed him as director-general of the purported council contradicts the statement he earlier gave police during investigation.
Onanuga urged politicians and members of the public not to rely on Adeyemi’s claims while the case remains before the court.
“Politicians and members of the public who are weaponising Adeyemi’s claim against the Chief of Staff should refrain from swallowing his narrative hook, line and sinker,” he said.
“They are advised to await the trial of Adeyemi and his accomplices, as well as the court’s judgement, as comments made today are subjudice.”