Prominent elders and leaders from Ogbomoso have distanced themselves from Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man at the centre of the alleged fake presidential agency scandal, insisting he is neither a recognised prince nor a representative of the town.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting and jointly signed by Chief Alao Adelabu Adeyinka and Prince Olatubosun Adeniyi, the elders, under the aegis of the Ogbomoso Integrity Forum, condemned Adeyemi’s alleged actions, describing them as a stain on the reputation of the community.
They also urged law enforcement authorities to prosecute him in accordance with the law if found culpable.
The statement follows widespread reports alleging that Adeyemi forged official documents to present himself as the Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
According to police reports and an earlier statement from the Presidency, Adeyemi allegedly operated from an office within Abuja’s Federal Secretariat for over a year, hosted diplomats and other dignitaries, and secured budgetary allocations running into billions of naira.
He was arrested in October 2025 and is facing charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and conspiracy.
Rejecting reports linking him to the Ogbomoso royal institution, the Ogbomoso Integrity Forum said Adeyemi had never been recognised as a prince in any of the town’s ruling houses.
“We, the elders and custodians of Ogbomoso’s rich cultural heritage, unequivocally disown Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew in this shameful fake agency scandal that has brought unnecessary scrutiny to our peaceful community,” the statement read.
“For far too long, individuals like him have hidden behind unverified titles to perpetrate deceit, but we stand firm today to declare that he is not, and has never been, a recognised prince in any of the ruling houses of Ogbomoso.
“Our royal traditions are sacred and are not for impostors to exploit for personal gain.”
The forum further alleged that Adeyemi had been linked to previous fraudulent schemes involving fake international youth organisations that allegedly defrauded unsuspecting Nigerians with promises of international summits and appointments.
It called on federal authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all his alleged past activities and ensure justice is served without fear or favour.
“This latest scandal is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern,” the statement added.
“The people of Ogbomoso are known for integrity, industry and respect for constituted authority—values that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew has repeatedly undermined through his actions.
“We reject any association with him and his so-called princely status, which has no basis in our traditional chieftaincy system or royal lineages. Such false claims only serve to undermine the genuine efforts of our kings and chiefs in promoting peace and development.”
The forum described as unfortunate the allegations that Adeyemi deceived government officials, diplomats and others by allegedly using forged documents to obtain office space in the Federal Secretariat.
It urged Ogbomoso indigenes at home and abroad to remain vigilant against fraudsters whose actions could damage the community’s reputation.
The elders also reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the Soun of Ogbomoso and other traditional rulers to uphold ethical leadership and preserve the integrity of the town.
The Guardian
