Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) is set to represent Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi after the Federal Government filed an eight-count charge against him over allegations of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and the use of forged presidential documents.
The case comes days after Adeyemi publicly accused the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding bribes totalling N600 million to facilitate his appointment as the head of a federal government agency.
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Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila requested an initial N400 million through a proxy and later demanded an additional N200 million, while also seeking 48 per cent of a proposed N27.4 billion take-off grant for the agency.
The businessman further challenged the Presidency to establish an independent investigative panel and subject documents signed by the Chief of Staff since assuming office to forensic examination.
The allegations were swiftly rejected by the Presidency, which on Wednesday released details of an internal investigation claiming that Adeyemi had fraudulently presented himself as the Director-General of a non-existent agency known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
According to the Presidency, records obtained from the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Nigeria Police Force showed that Adeyemi was never appointed by President Bola Tinubu or any authorised government institution.
Instead, the Presidency alleged that he forged official appointment letters and other presidential documents to create the impression that he headed a federal government agency.
Despite the allegations, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Falana has agreed to defend Adeyemi when the case comes before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charge, filed in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, also lists two additional suspects identified only as Femi and Anu, whose surnames were not disclosed. Both are currently at large.
According to court documents, prosecutors alleged that Adeyemi and the two suspects conspired on March 8, 2024, to forge official presidential documents in violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The Federal Government further alleged that the defendants forged a presidential appointment letter purportedly issued by President Tinubu and signed by Gbajabiamila.
The prosecution also accused the defendants of producing forged presidential letterheaded papers and official correspondence relating to land acquisition, office allocation and staff approvals.
In another count, prosecutors alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council between 2024 and 2025, despite the government’s insistence that no such agency exists.
The final count accused the defendants of forging a conveyance approval linked to the purported reactivation of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
The criminal charges stem from an investigation initiated after the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over reports that forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the State House were being circulated.
According to the police investigation report, Adeyemi was arrested on October 27, 2025, at an office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he allegedly operated as Director-General of the fictitious council.
Investigators said search warrants executed at both the office and Adeyemi’s residence in APC Quarters, Suleja, Niger State, led to the recovery of documents and other exhibits believed to be connected to the alleged offences.
During interrogation, police said Adeyemi claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in obtaining the appointment letter.
However, investigators said subsequent inquiries revealed that Tanimola had died following a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja, a development they said was corroborated by family members, hospital officials and church authorities.
The investigation also extended to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, where three government employees who had reportedly been posted to the alleged agency told investigators that they never performed any official duties during their assignment.
Police further disclosed that financial intelligence obtained from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit indicated that Adeyemi maintained 34 active bank accounts across several commercial banks.
Investigators also alleged that he opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria in the name of the purported agency.
Summarising its findings, the Nigeria Police concluded that the evidence gathered established a prima facie case that Adeyemi deliberately forged official presidential documents to falsely portray himself as a Federal Government appointee.
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The case is expected to test both the prosecution’s documentary evidence and the defence’s response as proceedings begin before the Federal High Court. No hearing date has yet been publicly announced.
Maryam Idris is a reporter and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
