Former Minister Challenges Presidency's Explanation
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has sharply criticized the Presidency's response to the case of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who was arrested for allegedly operating two fictitious agencies: the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. In a statement on July 1, Presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga denied any official knowledge of Adeyemi's activities, stating that the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, ordered a police and DSS probe on October 17, 2025, after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council flagged suspicious behaviour.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
Onanuga revealed that Adeyemi illegally hosted a meeting with foreign ambassadors at a luxury hotel and attempted to trick the Ministry of Foreign Affairs into issuing a note verbale for US visas. Police investigations uncovered 34 bank accounts, nine under fake agency names, and a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account opened through the Accountant-General of the Federation, though no government funds were deposited. Adeyemi allegedly tried to implicate Gbajabiamila, but the Chief of Staff dismissed the claim.
Dalung Points to Institutional Failures
Reacting to the statement, Dalung argued that the Presidency's defence exposed significant oversight gaps. He questioned how a fictitious agency could operate from the Federal Secretariat, recruit staff, meet diplomats, and appear in the national budget with billions in allocations. “If the council was fake, explain how it entered the budget?” Dalung asked, noting that budget proposals undergo multiple stages of executive and legislative review. He also shared a photo of Adeyemi meeting with the EFCC chairman, wondering why the agency did not suspect him.
Unanswered Questions on Death and Oversight
Dalung highlighted the curious death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, allegedly the link between Adeyemi and his appointment, who died in a hotel fire five days before Adeyemi's arrest. He called for an autopsy, coroner's inquest, and examination of Tanimola's devices and finances. “These are not conspiracy theories. They are the obvious questions any serious investigator would ask,” Dalung said, demanding transparency on how government systems failed to detect the fraud.
Demand for Accountability
Dalung concluded that accountability must extend beyond charging one individual. He urged the Presidency to provide records, timelines, and evidence to explain how the machinery of government validated or failed to detect the fabrication. “Until those answers are provided, this matter is far from settled,” he stated.
