Police Arrest Adeyemi Over Alleged Fake Presidential Council Scheme

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following a coordinated operation in Osun State.

The arrest follows a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja after Adeyemi failed to appear for arraignment on multiple criminal charges, including conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.

According to security sources, the early morning operation took place in a remote community in Ijesaland, Osun State, where Adeyemi had allegedly gone into hiding. The Intelligence Response Team, acting under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police and coordinated by Chief Superintendent of Police Moses Lohor, led the operation.

Investigators disclosed that Adeyemi had reportedly switched off his mobile communication lines and relocated to the rural community in an apparent effort to evade arrest. Following his apprehension, he was escorted under heavy security through Ibadan before being transferred to Abuja, where he is expected to face trial.

The arrest follows an order issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who granted the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant after Adeyemi repeatedly failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment.

The Federal Government has filed an eight-count charge against the defendant, accusing him of conspiracy, forgery, and personation.

According to the prosecution, Adeyemi allegedly established and operated what authorities describe as a fictitious government body, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. Prosecutors further allege that he operated offices from the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and issued appointment letters, official correspondence, and vehicle approvals bearing what they claim were forged State House letterheads.

The government argues that the activities of the alleged organization were capable of misleading members of the public into believing it was a legitimate federal institution, thereby undermining public confidence in government processes.

The prosecution is expected to call several witnesses during the trial, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside other government officials.

However, the defence has rejected the allegations, insisting that the council was lawfully recognised. Defence counsel argues that the body appeared in the 2026 Federal Budget with an allocation of ₦1.3 billion, a claim expected to form a central part of the legal dispute when proceedings resume.

Adeyemi has also maintained his innocence, stating that his earlier absence from court was due to concerns for his personal safety rather than an attempt to evade justice.

The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, has been adjourned until September 30, 2026, when Adeyemi is expected to be formally arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The outcome of the trial is likely to draw significant public attention as it raises broader questions about the misuse of government identities, alleged document forgery, and the safeguards in place to prevent individuals from presenting themselves as public officials without lawful authority.

As with all criminal proceedings, the allegations remain before the court, and Adeyemi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.