“N27.4bn Bribery Bombshell Rocks Presidency as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Fires Back, Brands Accuser ‘Fake DG’”.

A political storm erupted on Wednesday after explosive allegations accusing President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding N27.4 billion in exchange for a government appointment sent shockwaves across the country. But in a swift and strongly worded response, the Presidency dismissed the claims as a calculated smear campaign, insisting that the man behind the allegations is an alleged impostor currently standing trial for forgery, impersonation and fraud.

The Presidency, through a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the allegations as entirely false and accused Adeniyi Matthew of orchestrating an elaborate scheme built on forged documents and fake government appointments.

Matthew, who has repeatedly claimed to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded N27.4 billion from the take-off grant of the agency and that he had already paid N400 million through intermediaries to secure his appointment.

According to him, a disagreement over an outstanding N200 million allegedly caused a fallout between both parties. He further claimed that the dispute resulted in repeated attempts on his life and called for an independent investigation involving civil society organisations and international observers. He also demanded that Gbajabiamila temporarily step aside pending the outcome of such an investigation.

The Presidency, however, rejected the allegations outright, insisting that Matthew has never been recognised by any arm of the Federal Government and that the agency he claims to head does not exist.

According to the statement, the Office of the Chief of Staff had petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force as far back as October 2025 after discovering forged appointment letters allegedly issued in the name of the Presidency.

Gbajabiamila warned security agencies that criminals were fraudulently using his office to issue fake appointments and deceive unsuspecting members of the public, urging investigators to identify everyone connected with the alleged forgery network.

The Presidency also disclosed that concerns intensified after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Matthew allegedly convened a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Abuja without obtaining official clearance from the ministry.

The incident reportedly prompted enquiries from both the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation regarding the legal status of the so-called Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Responding to those enquiries, Gbajabiamila categorically denied appointing Matthew or authorising the establishment of the agency.

He maintained that neither the individual nor the organisation had any relationship with his office and described every document presented by Matthew as fake.

According to the Presidency, police investigations later concluded that Matthew had allegedly forged several government documents while falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee.

Security operatives reportedly searched his office in Abuja and residence in Suleja, recovering documents believed to be linked to the alleged fraud.

Investigators also claimed to have uncovered 34 bank accounts allegedly operated by Matthew, including nine accounts opened in the names of fictitious government agencies. They further alleged that he fraudulently secured a Central Bank of Nigeria account after misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The Presidency quoted findings from the police investigation describing Matthew's actions as criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, offences that allegedly brought the Presidency into disrepute both locally and internationally.

It further revealed that Matthew and two other suspects were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 on an eight-count criminal charge, with the matter scheduled to resume on July 27.

The statement also noted that Matthew made his latest allegations while on police bail and claimed that his new narrative contradicted statements he previously made during interrogation.

According to the Presidency, Gbajabiamila had already issued a public disclaimer identifying Matthew as an impostor and warning Nigerians against recognising him or any organisation he claims to represent.

The Presidency concluded by urging politicians, commentators and members of the public to refrain from accepting the allegations as facts, stressing that the matter is already before the court.

It maintained that the judicial process should be allowed to run its full course, insisting that the truth will ultimately be determined by the court rather than by allegations circulating in the public space.