My Life Is in Danger’ — Man at Centre of Alleged Fake Presidential Council Saga Speaks Out

ABUJA, Nigeria — Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of forging government appointment documents and presenting himself as the Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), has alleged that his life is under threat amid the ongoing controversy.
Adeyemi made the claim while responding to allegations from the Presidency, insisting that he has gone into hiding because he no longer feels safe.
The controversy intensified after the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, publicly stated on June 11 that the PFIPC was not an agency created under the curent administration.
Adeyemi rejected the claim and urged President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the matter and determine the legitimacy of the council.
Adeyemi Claims He’s Being Silenced
In an interview with Premium Times, Adeyemi denied all allegations of forgery and impersonation, describing the Presidency’s response as an attempt to silence him.
“They are just playing a defence mechanism to shut me up. My organisation was established in 2024,” he said.
Adeyemi further alleged that his safety is now at risk.
“They are now after my life. I have gone into hiding. I’m underground. I don’t consider myself safe,” he said.
He had earlier alleged that the dispute began after he refused to release 48 percent of the council’s proposed take-off grant.
Adeyemi also claimed he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment and still owed an additional ₦200 million, allegations the Presidency has denied.
Presidency Labels Adeyemi a Fraud Suspect
The Presidency has maintained that Adeyemi is an impostor facing criminal prosecution.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Adeyemi was described as a “con artist” who allegedly forged official documents and impersonated government officials.
According to Onanuga, Adeyemi and two other defendants are facing an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court over allegations including forgery, conspiracy and impersonation.
The case, filed in November 2025, is scheduled for hearing on July 27, 2026.
While responding to the allegations against Adeyemi, the Presidency dismissed claims linking Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to any bribery but did not directly address the specific allegations made by Adeyemi.
Report Claims Council Received Recruitment Approval
Adding another twist to the controversy, a report by TheCable claimed that the Federal Government approved a recruitment waiver for the PFIPC in August 2025.
According to documents cited in the report, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation authorised the council to recruit 300 staff members, despite an existing embargo on public sector recruitment.
The approval reportedly covered positions ranging from directors to administrative officers and instructed the agency to comply with the Federal Character principle and reserve five percent of positions for persons living with disabilities.
The report has further fueled public debate over the status of the council and whether it officially existed within the federal government structure.
Atiku Questions Presidency’s Explanation
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also weighed in on the controversy, criticising the Presidency’s explanation.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the government’s response raised more questions than answers.
According to him, it would be difficult to believe that a private individual could allegedly establish a government agency, occupy office space within the Federal Secretariat, interact with senior officials, maintain multiple bank accounts linked to government entities and allegedly secure budgetary allocations without institutional support.
Atiku further questioned reports that the PFIPC was allocated approximately ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite the Presidency’s insistence that the agency never existed.
He described the development as one that deserved a thorough and transparent investigation.
The controversy remains unresolved, with the allegations made by Adeyemi and the counterclaims by the Presidency yet to be tested in court. The ongoing legal proceedings are expected to provide further clarity on the status of the council and the accusations surrounding its operations.