Wellington Jopelo
Fresh controversy has erupted around the Presidency after the Federal Government moved to prosecute a man accused of creating a fake government agency and falsely presenting himself as a top presidential appointee.
The development has triggered nationwide reactions after authorities filed criminal charges against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly operated a non-existent federal agency while claiming to serve as Director-General under the Presidency.
The Federal Government has now charged Adeyemi before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations involving conspiracy, forgery and impersonation connected to the controversial scandal.
Investigators said the accused allegedly created and operated a fictitious body known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council while using forged documents to present the organisation as an official government agency.
According to reports, the suspect allegedly forged appointment letters bearing the name and signature of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, in an effort to make the organisation appear legitimate.
Security agencies also alleged that Adeyemi opened as many as 34 bank accounts, including several accounts reportedly created under the names of fake government institutions.
The Presidency, through a statement released by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, distanced itself completely from the activities of the accused and insisted no such agency exists under the current administration.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has also weighed in on the matter, demanding an independent investigation and insisting the controversy raises serious questions about how a fictitious agency allegedly found its way into official government systems.
Authorities further alleged that the accused attempted to use the fake agency to engage foreign diplomats and government institutions while presenting himself as a legitimate federal official.
The case has now intensified public scrutiny on the Presidency as the Federal Government prepares to continue prosecution while investigators work to uncover the full scale of the alleged fraud and those possibly connected to the scandal.