Inside police case against Adeniyi Adeyemi over forged presidency documents

The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to hear the case involving Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), over allegations of forgery, impersonation, and conspiracy linked to the body’s operations.

Adeyemi is billed to appear before the court on July 27, 2027, following an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on November 27, 2025.

The charge, filed by Wisdom Madaki, prosecuting counsel at the Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters, Abuja, also names two other suspects identified simply as Femi and Anu, whose surnames remain unknown and who are currently at large.

The case stems from allegations that Adeyemi and the co-defendants forged presidential documents and impersonated public officials in an attempt to legitimise the PFIPC, a body authorities say had no official authorisation.

The controversy gained national attention after the presidency raised concerns over the operations of the council, which was said to be functioning alongside the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), creating confusion within official circles.

The presidency disclosed that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, had alerted security agencies after complaints emerged about the activities of the organisation.

According to the presidency, forged appointment letters allegedly carrying Gbajabiamila’s signature, official reference numbers and presidential seals were being used to give the council a semblance of legitimacy.

Court filings reveal that the police structured the allegations into eight separate counts.

Under count one, Adeyemi and the two other suspects were accused of conspiring among themselves on March 8, 2024, to commit forgery, an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

Count two alleges that the defendants forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Tinubu and signed by Gbajabiamila, falsely presenting Adeyemi as having been officially appointed.

In count three, the police accused the defendants of forging presidential letter-headed papers, allegedly used in subsequent communications to government agencies.

Under count four, the suspects were accused of forging a request for collaboration with ministries in relation to land requisition and office spaces across the 36 states of the federation, purportedly originating from the State House.

Count five focuses on impersonation, alleging that Adeyemi falsely held himself out as Director-General of the PFIPC between 2024 and 2025, contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.

The police, in count six, alleged that the defendants forged a request for office space, again claiming the document emanated from the State House.

Under count seven, they were accused of forging a request for approval of staff account status, another document allegedly tied to the operations of the PFIPC.

The final allegation, count eight, centres on a forged conveyance approval for what was described as the “Re-Take Off Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council,” also purportedly issued from the State House.

Investigators say the alleged forged documents were part of a wider effort to establish the PFIPC as a recognised federal institution and engage ministries, agencies and private stakeholders under that guise.

The matter is expected to draw significant public attention because it touches on the use of forged presidential instruments, institutional impersonation and the broader implications such activities may have on governance, public trust and investor confidence.

For authorities, the prosecution is seen as part of a broader push to clamp down on individuals or groups allegedly exploiting government identity and official state symbols for private or unauthorised purposes.

With two suspects still at large, law enforcement agencies are expected to continue investigations as the case moves to a substantive hearing later this month.