The Presidency has dismissed allegations linking the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to an alleged appointment-for-cash scandal, describing the accuser as an impostor already facing prosecution for forgery, impersonation and fraud.
The rebuttal follows claims by Adeniyi Matthew, who identified himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council/Presidential Economic Advisory Council, alleging that Gbajabiamila demanded ₦27.4 billion from a government take-off grant and received ₦400 million through intermediaries to facilitate his appointment.
Matthew also alleged a dispute over an outstanding ₦200 million payment and claimed there had been attempts on his life, calling for an independent investigation and urging the Chief of Staff to step aside.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the allegations as fabricated and insisted Matthew had no connection with the Presidency or any recognised government agency.
According to the statement, security agencies have been investigating Matthew since October 2025 following a petition by Gbajabiamila to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police over alleged forgery of presidential appointment letters and impersonation of government officials.
Gbajabiamila was quoted as saying that the so-called Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was unknown to his office and that its director-general was not recognised by any arm of government.
The Presidency further stated that investigations by security agencies established that the purported agency did not exist, alleging that Matthew forged appointment letters and other official documents while falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee.
It added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had raised concerns after Matthew allegedly convened a meeting with ambassadors in Abuja without approval, while other key government offices also sought clarification on the legitimacy of the organisation.
Investigators reportedly uncovered multiple bank accounts linked to Matthew, including accounts allegedly opened in the names of fictitious agencies, as well as documents said to support charges of forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The statement also noted that Matthew and two others were already standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight-count charge, with the case adjourned to July 27 for hearing.
The Presidency urged the public to disregard the allegations, warning against what it described as attempts to mislead the public while the matter remains before the court.
