The Nigerian Presidency is facing growing public and political pressure following the prosecution of a man accused of creating and heading a fake federal agency using forged documents.punchng+3
The scandal centres on Prince Adeniyi Matthew, who allegedly set up a non existent body called the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and presented himself as its director general.instagram+3
According to the Presidency, police investigations found that the council was fictitious and that Matthew forged appointment letters and other official papers to claim he had been appointed by the government.facebook+1
Officials also said he operated dozens of bank accounts, including some opened in the names of fake agencies, and even managed to open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria by misleading the Office of the Accountant General.punchng+1
The Federal Government has now charged Matthew and two others before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight count indictment that includes conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and fraud.facebook+1
The case has sparked debate over how a fake agency could secure office space, hold meetings with senior officials and attract budgetary allocation without detection, raising questions about internal checks within government institutions.punchng+2
The Presidency has publicly distanced itself from Matthew, describing him as an impostor and serial con artist, and insisting that the chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, has no involvement in the alleged scheme.facebook+1
Despite the official denial, critics say the scandal has damaged public confidence and want a wider review of how government agencies are verified and supervised to prevent similar frauds in the future.
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