If I’m Wrong, Let The Court Decide — Adeyemi Breaks Silence On Presidential Council Scandal

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Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has declared that he is ready to defend himself in court over the controversy surrounding the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that the judiciary, not public opinion, should determine whether the allegations against him are true.

The embattled businessman made the declaration during a telephone interview with Politics Today anchor Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television on Thursday.

He was responding to allegations that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of a presidential council which the Presidency maintains does not exist.

Expressing confidence in the judicial process, Adeyemi said he had nothing to fear from prosecution, insisting that the court would ultimately establish the truth behind the controversy.

When asked whether he was prepared to face prosecution over the allegations, Adeyemi answered in the affirmative, saying he was confident that the judicial process would determine where the truth lies.

“Definitely, sir. If I’m wrong, let the court of law do that, and if I’m right, let the court of law do the right thing.”

He added that the matter should be left entirely in the hands of the judiciary, expressing confidence that the court would fairly examine the evidence and clear his name if he had done no wrong.

“Since the matter is in court, let the court of competent jurisdiction vindicate me because I’m ready to clear my name. Let the court take its course. My lawyers are already involved, and we will follow the case through to its conclusion,” he said.

Pressed to explain the source of funds allegedly used to finance the activities of the disputed council, Adeyemi declined to provide details, insisting that all relevant facts would emerge during the court proceedings.

“The truth will be unravelled at the court of law,” he stated.

Speaking during the television interview from an undisclosed location, Adeyemi also disclosed that he was unwell, although he did not elaborate on the nature of his illness or reveal his whereabouts.

His disclosure has further heightened public interest in the case, with some Nigerians expressing concern about his safety and well-being as investigations and court proceedings continue.

The controversy gained national attention after the Presidency distanced itself from the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), insisting that neither body was created nor recognised by the Federal Government.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga subsequently alleged that Adeyemi forged official documents, impersonated a government official and used the purported appointments to operate bank accounts and carry out official activities.

The Nigeria Police thereafter concluded their investigation and filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two others before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges include conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The controversy has also sparked widespread public debate, with many Nigerians at home and in the diaspora calling for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disputed presidential council.

Among the questions being raised are how the purported council allegedly operated for so long without attracting the attention of key security and regulatory agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Some Nigerians have also demanded clarity on the identity of the alleged middleman said to have died in a hotel fire in the Utako area of Abuja.

They are asking who he was, where he hailed from, whether others died in the incident, who certified the reported death(s), and whether a forensic investigation of the fire should be conducted to establish the full facts.

The growing public interest has fuelled calls for investigators to leave no stone unturned, with many insisting that the probe should answer all outstanding questions and reassure Nigerians that due process will be followed.

Others argue that the Presidency’s explanation of the controversy has not fully addressed the concerns being raised, underscoring the need for the ongoing investigation and court proceedings to establish the facts.

Despite the criminal charges, Adeyemi has maintained that his appointment was genuine, insisting that he acted within the law and would rely on the court to establish the authenticity of the documents and appointments at the centre of the dispute.

With both the Presidency and Adeyemi standing firmly by their positions, the case is expected to provide judicial clarity on the legality of the disputed council and resolve the competing claims surrounding its existence and operations.