• ‘I borrowed N400m to fund my appointment’
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• U.S. lobbying firm offers to help ‘fake’ DG seek asylum
Ahead of today’s arraignment, the embattled Director-General (DG) of a ‘non-existent’ Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has dismissed claims he is evading law enforcement authorities, insisting he withdrew from public appearances because of security concerns.
Adeyemi further renewed calls on President Bola Tinubu to constitute an independent panel to investigate the controversy surrounding his appointment and activities.
He made the assertion during a telephone interview with Channels Television on Monday, hours after a United States lobbying firm announced plans to support his bid for asylum in the U.S., citing alleged threats to his safety.
Rejecting claims that he had gone into hiding, Adeyemi maintained that he was willing to appear publicly despite what he described as serious threats to his life.
“Definitely, I’m ready. I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger,” he said, alleging that there had been multiple attempts on his life but did not disclose further details or identify those allegedly behind the attacks.
Adeyemi’s remarks come as controversy continues to trail the purported PFIPC, which the Presidency has repeatedly described as a non-existent government agency
Before his TV appearance, he had earlier appealed to President Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the alleged N1.3 billion budget insertion linked to the commission in an open letter dated July 13, 2026. He argued that the probe should be expanded to include independent stakeholders in order to ensure transparency and public confidence.
According to him, an investigation handled solely by government agencies may not be perceived as impartial, claiming that the allegations involve key government institutions. He maintained that he was not evading accountability but was seeking a fair and transparent process.
Adeyemi further alleged that surrendering himself under the current circumstances could endanger his life, claiming he had received credible threats. He also raised questions over the reported death of one of the alleged intermediaries in the case, Mr Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, and the subsequent demolition of a hotel in Abuja where he claimed key evidence may have existed.
Earlier, a U.S. lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, announced its readiness to assist Adeyemi in seeking political asylum in the United States and obtaining whistleblower protection. In a series of posts on X, the firm’s representative, Dr. Von Batten, said he had spoken directly with Adeyemi and found him to be “sincere and credible.”
According to the lobbyist, Adeyemi disclosed that he and members of his family had received threats and were currently in hiding due to concerns over their safety.
Von Batten also stated that his organisation had begun briefing senior members of U.S. President Donald Trump’s team and intends to engage members of the U.S. Congress regarding allegations Adeyemi reportedly made against senior Nigerian government officials.
It is very unlikely that Adeyemi would be present in court today. He is to be arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who, at the last mention of the case on June 16, when the arraignment was earlier planned, had to adjourn till July 14 upon information that Adeyemi was indisposed. Adeyemi is to be arraigned on an eight-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, filed by Wisdom Madaki of the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on November 27 last year.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today via zoom on Monday, Adeniyi said that unidentified security operatives had visited his parents’ residence in search of him, describing the development as an attempt to intimidate and silence him.
According to him, unknown men allegedly visited his family home on two occasions within three days, an action he said had heightened fears for his safety and that of his relatives.
