A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, LC, has announced its readiness to assist Adeniyi Adeyemi, the embattled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in seeking asylum and whistleblower protection amid escalating allegations surrounding the agency.
The development adds an international dimension to the growing controversy over the PFIPC, a body whose existence has been publicly disowned by the Presidency despite reports that it operated with government trappings, including a budgetary allocation, office space within the Federal Secretariat Complex, and recruited personnel.
The offer was made by Karl Von Batten, founder of the lobbying firm, in a post on X, where he expressed concern over the allegations raised by Adeyemi and suggested that United States authorities could have an interest in the matter due to the involvement of World Bank-funded resources in Nigeria’s national budget.
According to Von Batten, the United States, being the largest shareholder in the World Bank, has a legitimate interest in ensuring that funds linked to international development financing are not misused.
The controversy intensified after the Presidency recently distanced itself from the PFIPC, insisting that the council does not exist under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, Adeyemi challenged that position, questioning how an agency allegedly non-existent could have secured a place in the 2026 federal budget and operated openly within government premises.
In a fresh statement issued on Monday, Von Batten disclosed that he had spoken directly with Adeyemi and found him to be “sincere and credible,” adding that the allegations deserved thorough scrutiny by American authorities.
At the centre of the dispute are claims by Adeyemi that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, appointed him as Director-General of the PFIPC. Adeyemi further alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and later demanded an additional N200 million to facilitate his appointment.
The PFIPC boss also called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the matter. He further alleged that attempts had been made on his life.
“Based on our discussion, I believe his allegations warrant an investigation by Congress, the U.S. State Department, U.S. Treasury, Government Accountability Office, and other relevant U.S. agencies due to the alleged misappropriation of U.S.-funded World Bank loans by senior members of the Nigerian government,” Von Batten stated.
The American lobbyist revealed that senior members of President Donald Trump’s team had already been briefed on the allegations and that members of the U.S. Congress would begin receiving formal briefings this week.
He also issued a stern warning, saying that should any harm befall Adeyemi or his family while he remains willing to cooperate with U.S. authorities, President Tinubu would be held accountable and efforts would be made to pursue justice through American legal channels.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations and submit a report within 30 days.
The controversy continues to attract public attention as questions linger over the legal status of the PFIPC, the circumstances surrounding its operations, and the allegations of financial misconduct levelled against top government officials.
The latest intervention by Von Batten-Montague-York is also significant given the firm's recent involvement in Nigerian politics. In April, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar retained the Washington-based lobbying outfit to help strengthen and protect his reputation in the United States.
Atiku's engagement of the firm coincided with growing tensions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the opposition platform adopted by him and other political leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid disputes over the party’s future presidential ticket.
With both domestic and international actors now drawn into the PFIPC controversy, the unfolding allegations are poised to become one of the most closely watched political and governance issues in Nigeria.
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