Fake Agency: Falana takes up defence of man accused of forging Tinubu’s appointment letter

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) is set to represent Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi in a criminal case filed by the Federal Government over allegations of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and the use of forged presidential documents.

Adeyemi recently accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding hundreds of millions of naira in bribes in connection with his alleged appointment to head a government agency.

The Presidency has, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting that Adeyemi was never appointed by President Bola Tinubu and that the agency he claimed to lead does not exist.

Sources familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that Falana would defend Adeyemi before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Federal Government has filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi, alongside two other suspects identified simply as Femi and Anu, who are currently at large.

According to the charge sheet, Adeyemi, whose address was listed as the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, allegedly conspired with the two suspects to forge several official State House documents.

Prosecutors alleged that the defendants forged a presidential appointment letter purportedly issued by President Tinubu and signed by Gbajabiamila.

They were also accused of forging official presidential letterheads and other State House documents, including requests for office space, collaboration with government agencies and approvals relating to the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

The government further alleged that between 2024 and 2025, Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

Adeyemi insists agency exists

Despite the charges, Adeyemi has maintained that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council is a legitimate government agency and insists he is its Director-General.

The Federal Government has described the council as fictitious, maintaining that no such institution exists within the Federal Government.

The charges followed Adeyemi’s allegations that Gbajabiamila demanded ₦400 million, as well as an additional ₦200 million, to facilitate his appointment.

He also alleged that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed ₦27.4 billion take-off grant.

Adeyemi challenged the Presidency to establish an independent panel to investigate the allegations and subject documents allegedly signed by Gbajabiamila to forensic examination.

Presidency rejects allegations

Responding on Wednesday, the Presidency defended the Chief of Staff, stating that investigations carried out by the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Police Force established that Adeyemi was never appointed by President Tinubu or any authorised government institution.

According to the Presidency, investigators concluded that Adeyemi forged official documents and falsely presented himself as the head of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

Police said the investigation began after the Office of the Chief of Staff reported the discovery of forged appointment letters allegedly originating from the Presidency.

Investigators alleged that forged documents bearing fake signatures, official seals and reference numbers were used to create the impression that Adeyemi headed a Federal Government agency.

Police said Adeyemi was arrested on October 27, 2025, at an office where he allegedly operated as Director-General of the purported council.

Searches conducted at the office and his residence in APC Quarters, Suleja, Niger State, reportedly led to the recovery of several documents and exhibits linked to the investigation.

According to police, Adeyemi told investigators that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola obtained the alleged appointment letter for him.

However, investigators said they later established that Tanimola had died in a hotel fire in Abuja, a claim they said was confirmed by his family, hospital officials and church records.

The police also disclosed that financial intelligence obtained from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) showed Adeyemi maintained 34 active bank accounts across different commercial banks.

Investigators further alleged that he opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the name of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

The police said their investigation established a prima facie case that Adeyemi deliberately forged presidential documents and falsely presented himself as a Federal Government appointee.

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