Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the discredited director-general of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has denied allegations that he is a fraudster, saying the court should be allowed determine the controversy surrounding the disputed agency.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew insisted he is not a con artist, contrary to how the presidency has portrayed him.
In his words: “I’m not a con artist. Let the court decide on the matter,” he said.
The presidency had accused Adeyemi of forging documents, including an appointment letter, to present himself as the head of a non-existent government agency.
Questioning the veracity of the presidency’s position, Adeyemi stated that he could not have operated openly if the agency was entirely fictitious.
“Let’s assume the agency does not exist. Would I have the temerity to be going all over the country meeting the heads of agencies and departments if they know that the agency does not exist or, as alleged, that I cooked everything?” he asked.
He said his engagements with senior government officials, ambassadors and other stakeholders support his claim that the agency exists.
The presidency, however, has maintained that the PFIPC has no legal basis and was never established by any executive instrument.
Responding to claims that the position was a political reward, Adeyemi admitted to being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state and one of those who worked and mobilised voters for the success of President Bila Tinubu but flatly dismissed suggestions that his appointment was tied to political patronage.
“I’m a member of APC from Oyo State. I wouldn’t say the position is a reward,” he said.
, has denied allegations that he is a fraudster, saying the court should be allowed determine the controversy surrounding the disputed agency.){kind=link}