Phantom Council: ‘I’m Not A Con Artist’, Adeyemi replies presidency

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man at the centre of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has broken his silence. He dismissed allegations that he is a con star and insisted he was validly appointed by the Federal Government. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday night, Adeyemi repeatedly maintained that […]

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man at the centre of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has broken his silence.

He dismissed allegations that he is a con star and insisted he was validly appointed by the Federal Government.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday night, Adeyemi repeatedly maintained that he possesses a genuine appointment letter and declined to address most of the allegations against him.

He said the matter is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The interview marked his first public appearance since the Presidency described the PFIPC as a fictitious government body and accused him of impersonation, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

Confronted with allegations that he had been described as a “con artist” and was ready to face the law, Adeyemi said he had nothing to hide.

“I’m not a con artist. The matter is in the court of competent jurisdiction. I’m ready to clear my name”, he said.

Reminded of an earlier controversy in which he allegedly presented himself as the leader of a United Nations-affiliated organisation, Adeyemi declined to engage the issue, insisting that the pending court case prevented him from making detailed comments.

Asked whether he truly received an appointment letter as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, he answered in the affirmative.

“Yes, definitely I have a letter of appointment.”

He, however, refused to produce or discuss the document, saying: “Since the matter is in court, I won’t be able to say much about it.”

Questioned further on how the council allegedly secured office space at the Federal Secretariat despite the Federal Government’s denial that such an agency exists, he declined comments and insisted on having his day in court.

He also gave the same response to whether he had personally met the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, whether the Office of the President issued his appointment, and who funded the salaries of the council’s reported workforce of about 300 employees.

“I don’t want to talk much about this. The matter is in court. Let’s allow the court to determine it,” he said.

At one point during the interview, Adeyemi disclosed that he was battling ill health.

“I’m a bit down. I’m sick, so I’m trying to take care of myself,” he said.

Asked whether he was a criminal or a con artist as widely speculated, he rejected the characterisation.

“No, sir. However, the court will make justice to that,” he replied.

The controversy intensified after the Presidency, through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, maintained that the PFIPC was a non-existent agency.

He alleged that Adeyemi forged appointment documents, impersonated a government official and fraudulently sought a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for members of the purported council.

The Presidency also said police investigations led to his arrest in October 2025 and the filing of an eight-count charge against him and two others before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the case is pending.

According to the Presidency, investigators also alleged that Adeyemi operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, held meetings with diplomats, and claimed to head the PFIPC despite repeated disclaimers that no such agency exists under the Federal Government.

It further alleged that police recovered documents during searches of his office and residence and traced dozens of bank accounts allegedly linked to the operation.

Adeyemi has denied wrongdoing and insists the court would ultimately vindicate him.