Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) is set to represent Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is facing criminal charges filed by the Federal Government over alleged forgery, conspiracy, impersonation, and the use of forged presidential documents.

Adeyemi recently accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding ₦400 million through a proxy and an additional ₦200 million to facilitate his appointment as the head of a government agency. He also alleged that Gbajabiamila sought 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed take-off grant, an allegation the Presidency has denied.

The controversy is linked to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency Adeyemi claims to head as Director-General. However, the Presidency has insisted that the council does not exist and has described Adeyemi as an impostor who allegedly used forged government documents to present himself as the head of the agency.

According to court documents filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Government has brought an eight-count charge against Adeyemi. The charges include conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and the use of forged presidential documents. Two other suspects, identified only as Femi and Anu, were also named in the charge but are reportedly at large.

The prosecution alleges that Adeyemi and the other suspects forged several official State House documents, including an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by the Chief of Staff. Investigators also allege that forged presidential letterheads, official seals, and other documents were used to support claims that the PFIPC was a legitimate government agency.

Earlier, the Presidency said investigations involving the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Nigeria Police Force found that Adeyemi had never been appointed by the President or any government authority.

Despite the charges, sources familiar with the matter said Falana has agreed to lead Adeyemi’s legal defence as the case proceeds in court.

The case has attracted national attention because it follows recent allegations made by Adeyemi against Gbajabiamila and the controversy surrounding the appearance of the PFIPC in the 2026 federal budget, despite the Presidency’s insistence that the agency does not exist. The allegations against Gbajabiamila remain unproven, and the Presidency has continued to deny any wrongdoing.