Authorities allege the suspect forged official documents to create a fictitious investment council that appeared in Nigeria’s national budget.
Abuja, Nigeria (Running Africa) — Nigerian police have arrested a man accused of creating and operating a fake federal government agency that falsely claimed to operate under the Presidency, in a case that has triggered a high-level corruption investigation.
The suspect, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, was apprehended in Osun State after weeks on the run following the issuance of a court warrant.
Authorities allege that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organization the federal government says was never legally established.
Forgery and Impersonation Allegations
Investigators claim the suspect forged official government documents, including the signature of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to give the impression that the PFIPC was an authorized federal institution.
Police further allege that the fake agency secured office space at Abuja’s Federal Secretariat, opened multiple bank accounts, and was even listed in Nigeria’s 2026 Appropriation Act with a proposed budget allocation of ₦1.3 billion.
The federal government has maintained that the council had no legal mandate, was never officially created, and did not receive any public funding.
Tinubu Orders Investigation
President Bola Tinubu ordered a full investigation after the alleged scheme came to light, prompting authorities to examine how the organization was able to present itself as a government institution.
The case has raised fresh concerns over document forgery, identity fraud, and weaknesses in administrative oversight within Nigeria’s public sector.
Suspect to Face Fraud-Related Charges
Adeyemi has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the council was created to attract foreign investment into Nigeria.
He is expected to be transferred to Abuja to face charges including forgery, impersonation, and operating a fraudulent government institution.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged scheme and how the organization was able to operate while claiming ties to the Presidency.
