Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has raised serious questions about how Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, was able to gain apparent official recognition despite facing allegations of forgery, fraud, and impersonation. Speaking during Channels TV Politics Today on Tuesday, Chidoka argued that the controversy points to broader institutional failures rather than the actions of one individual alone, demanding that public institutions that received and acted on documents allegedly submitted by Adeyemi be held accountable.
Chidoka specifically questioned the verification processes followed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, asking why these agencies allegedly failed to confirm the authenticity of Adeyemi's appointment letter before acting on requests associated with it. "The question is: letter of appointment, does it exist? Yes. Where did he get it from? When he sent it to the Secretary of Government's office, did you accept it without verification? When you wrote to the Head of Civil Service office saying we need an office, did you check back to see whether this is procedural?" Chidoka asked.
The former minister further dismissed suggestions that the President's Chief of Staff has the authority to appoint or employ civil servants, describing the office as an administrative position responsible for coordinating the President's activities rather than making government appointments. He lamented what he described as an emerging culture in Nigeria where individuals who challenge irregularities or insist on due process are often viewed negatively. "The point is that a culture has come into Nigeria. The culture is that when you say no to something going on, you become a bad person," Chidoka said.
Chidoka's remarks come amid ongoing investigations into Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an entity whose legitimacy has been questioned by the Presidency. The controversy has attracted widespread public attention following allegations that Adeyemi forged several official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter dated March 8, 2024, State House letterheads, a conveyance approval for the take-off of the PFIPC, requests for approval of staff accounts and office space, as well as letters seeking collaboration with a federal ministry.
The police had charged Adeyemi and two others with eight counts, including forgery and impersonation, in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025. The case was initially filed on November 27, 2025, by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki. However, court proceedings had stalled on June 16, scheduled for Adeyemi's arraignment, due to his absence from court on grounds of ill health. A Federal High Court in Abuja subsequently issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi's arrest after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The Nigerian police subsequently arrested Adeyemi in Osun State, after which he was taken into custody for questioning.
According to court documents, proposed prosecution witnesses to testify against the defendants include the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede and Ituah Sylvester. Others are civil servants working in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, a deputy superintendent of police, and individuals who were allegedly posted to work with Adeyemi at the non-existent agency. Documentary exhibits planned to be tendered by the prosecution include the police investigation report, Gbajabiamila's petition dated October 17, 2025, and Adeyemi's fake presidential appointment letter dated March 8, 2024. They also include the request for a note verbale by Adeyemi sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the approvals he got to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The police had accused Adeyemi of operating the fictitious agency from the 2nd Floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, Phase III, before his arrest. Last week, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of the fictitious agency, giving the commission 30 days to complete the investigation. The case has continued to generate debate over the verification processes within government institutions and whether adequate checks were carried out before official correspondence and requests linked to the alleged council were processed. Chidoka's intervention adds to growing calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that enabled the alleged impersonation and the roles played by officials who may have processed or acted on documents presented by the suspect.
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