Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused by the presidency of forging government appointment documents and falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of two non-existent presidential councils, has denied the allegations, claiming he is being targeted to silence him.
Speaking with Premium Times on Thursday from an undisclosed location, Adeyemi insisted that the accusations against him were politically motivated and described the government’s actions as an attempt to suppress him.
According to him, the organisation he heads was established in 2024, contrary to claims by the presidency that the body does not exist.
“You know the government we have. They are just playing a defence mechanism to shut me up. My organisation was set up in 2024,” he said.
Although invited to meet in person and provide documents backing his claims, Adeyemi declined, saying he was not in Abuja and would not release any appointment letters or other evidence at this stage.
He explained that his legal team had advised him against making further public comments on the matter.
“I just decided to speak to you out of respect. My lawyers are working on something. Whatever they say, I will let you know,” he added.
Adeyemi also claimed his life was in danger, revealing that he had gone into hiding for his safety.
“They are now after my life. I have gone into hiding. I’m underground,” he said.
When asked whether he had left Nigeria or where he was currently staying, he refused to disclose his location, insisting he no longer felt secure.
“I will not be able to disclose any information now. I don’t consider myself safe,” he stated.
His remarks come barely a day after the presidency announced that he and two others were facing criminal charges over alleged forgery and impersonation.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Wednesday that the suspects had been arraigned before the Federal High Court on an eight-count charge filed on November 27, 2025, with the matter scheduled for hearing on July 27.
According to the presidency, investigations began after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) raised concerns about another organisation allegedly carrying out functions similar to those assigned to the commission.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, subsequently petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force on October 17, 2025, requesting a probe into Adeyemi and his associates.
The petition alleged that forged appointment letters bearing fake signatures, seals and reference numbers from the Chief of Staff’s office were used to create the impression that the suspects had been officially appointed into the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
The presidency further alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he reportedly met with Nigerian and foreign officials and sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visa applications for individuals presented as staff of the purported agency.
Authorities also claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs became suspicious after Adeyemi allegedly convened a meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja without notifying the ministry, prompting requests for clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chief of Staff’s office.
According to the presidency, Gbajabiamila denied establishing the councils or issuing any appointment letters linked to them.
Police reportedly arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at his Abuja office before carrying out searches at both the premises and his residence in Suleja, where investigators allegedly recovered documents suspected to be forged government records.
The presidency also said Adeyemi informed investigators that one Dolapo Tanimola helped him obtain the appointment letter. However, police later discovered that Tanimola had died in a hotel fire just days before Adeyemi’s arrest.
Investigators further claimed to have uncovered 34 bank accounts allegedly linked to Adeyemi, including accounts opened in the names of entities presented as government agencies. They also alleged that forged documents were used in an attempt to open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), although no public funds were deposited into the account.
Last month, Gbajabiamila publicly distanced the presidency from Adeyemi and the purported councils, maintaining that no such offices exist under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The presidency also dismissed allegations reportedly made by Adeyemi after he was granted police bail, in which he accused the Chief of Staff of demanding ₦400 million through an intermediary.
