JUST IN: Presidency clears Gbajabiamila, says accuser an impostor

The Presidency has strongly refuted allegations that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was involved in an appointment-for-cash scandal. The rebuttal specifically targets Adeniyi Matthew, who claimed to be the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council/Presidential Economic Advisory Council, labeling him an impostor.

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The Presidency said security agencies had been investigating Matthew since October 2025 after the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force over alleged forgery of official appointment letters and impersonation of government officials.

Matthew had accused Gbajabiamila of demanding N27.4 billion from an agency's grant and receiving N400 million through proxies for his appointment as director-general, with a remaining balance of N200 million. He further alleged assassination attempts due to disputes over this balance and called for an independent investigation, urging Gbajabiamila to step aside.

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The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office.

However, in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency described Matthew's claims as fabrications by a "serial con artist." The statement revealed that security agencies have been investigating Matthew since October 2025. This investigation followed a petition from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force concerning alleged forgery of appointment letters and impersonation of government officials.

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The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the Presidency and the credibility of official government communication.

The Presidency also noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had raised concerns about Matthew's activities after he allegedly convened a meeting with ambassadors in Abuja without proper authorization. Both the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had sought clarification on the purported agency's status. Gbajabiamila denied appointing Matthew or recognizing the agency, stating that "Prince Adeniyi Matthew, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, is unknown to any office."

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I therefore urge you to initiate a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those involved and also to uncover the network facilitating the forgery.