Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has insisted that his appointment was genuine. He said he is ready to face trial and clear his name.

Mr Adeyemi is the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The agency is also known as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

He spoke on Thursday night during a telephone interview. The interview aired on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.

He is currently facing prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges include conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation. Mr Adeyemi maintained his innocence. He expressed confidence that the court would vindicate him.

When asked whether he was evading law enforcement authorities, Mr Adeyemi denied it. “Not at all,” he said.

He was then asked if he was prepared to face trial. He said he was ready to submit himself to the judicial process.

“Definitely, if I am wrong, let the court of law do that; if I am right, let the court of law do the right thing,” he stated.

Court will Vindicate Me 

He added: “Since the matter is in the court, let the court of competent jurisdiction vindicate me because I am ready to clear my name. Let the court take its course. Since my lawyers are involved, everybody will follow us, they will monitor the whole thing. Let the court of competent jurisdiction do the needful.”

Mr Adeyemi insisted that he possessed a valid appointment letter. However, he declined to provide details. He cited the ongoing court proceedings. “I have a letter of appointment. However, since the matter is in the court, I won’t be able to say much about it. I am on medication. I am a bit down, I am sick,” he said.

When asked directly whether he considered himself a criminal, he said no. “No, I am not a criminal. However, the court will do justice to that,” he responded.

Mr Adeyemi also questioned claims by the Presidency that the agency did not exist. He argued that his public activities over several years proved otherwise. “I want Nigerians to know that, for one second, let us assume the agency does not exist, would I have the temerity, the audacity, to be going all over the country, meeting the heads of ministries, departments and agencies, if I know that the agency does not exist, or as they allege that I cooked up everything?” he asked.

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He added: “No Nigerian can dare do that. I could not have summoned the courage to be going from one place to another for almost three years. Nigeria is not a banana republic.”

For several months, Mr Adeyemi reportedly operated openly in the name of the PFIPC. The office allegedly hosted high-profile events. It also engaged several government agencies. The controversial council was allocated N1.3 billion in the 2026 national budget. This allocation further fuelled public confusion over the agency’s legitimacy.

 

Presidency Fires Back at  Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi

The Presidency on Wednesday publicly disowned Mr Adeyemi. It described him as an impostor.

A statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga. He is the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy. The Presidency said police investigations revealed that Mr Adeyemi allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter. The letter was purportedly signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President.

According to the Presidency, Mr Adeyemi allegedly operated a non-existent government agency. He also maintained 34 bank accounts. Nine of these accounts were allegedly opened in the names of fictitious government bodies.

The Presidency disclosed that Mr Adeyemi was arrested on 27 October 2025. The arrest was carried out by the Nigeria Police Force. It followed a petition by Mr Gbajabiamila. He had complained to security agencies over alleged forgery and impersonation.

Authorities subsequently filed an eight-count charge. The charges were filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. They include conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation. Mr Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices are named in the case. The Presidency stated that the matter will come up again in court on 27 July 2026.

It also revealed that two government bodies had earlier raised concerns. These are the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. Both had questioned the activities of the purported agency.

 

The Bribery Allegations

The latest rebuttal from the Presidency followed explosive allegations made by Mr Adeyemi against Mr Gbajabiamila.

Mr Adeyemi had accused the Chief of Staff of demanding N27.4 billion. He claimed this represented 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed take-off grant. He also alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy. The money was allegedly meant to facilitate his appointment. He claimed an outstanding balance of N200 million remains unpaid.

Mr Adeyemi called on President Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel. He wants the panel to probe the allegations. He urged the President to direct a review of all official documents relating to the disputed agencies. He also demanded that the findings be made public. Mr Adeyemi further called for Mr Gbajabiamila to step aside pending the outcome of the proposed investigation.

Summary of Adeyemi’s Claims: 

  • 400 million Naira Bribe to paid Tinubu’s Chief of Staff 
  • Gbajabiamila allegedly demanded 27.4 Billions