PFIPC scandal: US lobbying firm offers to help ‘fake’ DG seek asylum

A United States lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has offered to assist Adeniyi Adeyemi, the embattled Director-General of Nigeria's Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, in seeking asylum in the U.S. The firm is also calling on American authorities to investigate Adeyemi's claims against senior Nigerian government officials.

Dr. Von Batten, representing the firm, announced via X that his team had contacted Adeyemi and was preparing to brief U.S. Congress members and other agencies. "To anyone in contact with Mr. Adeyemi, we are very interested in speaking with him. We are prepared to assist Mr. Adeyemi in seeking asylum in the United States and requesting whistleblower protection," he posted.

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To anyone in contact with Mr. Adeyemi, we are very interested in speaking with him. We are prepared to assist Mr. Adeyemi in seeking asylum in the United States and requesting whistleblower protection.

Von Batten highlighted the U.S. interest in any credible allegations involving World Bank-funded projects in Nigeria, given the U.S. is the World Bank's largest shareholder. "Because @WorldBankGroup funds reportedly form part of Nigeria’s national budget, and the United States is the World Bank’s largest shareholder, any credible allegations involving those funds would be of significant interest to U.S. authorities," he stated. He also warned that his team would demand a full investigation and accountability if Adeyemi faced any harm.

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Because @WorldBankGroup funds reportedly form part of Nigeria’s national budget, and the United States is the World Bank’s largest shareholder, any credible allegations involving those funds would be of significant interest to U.S. authorities.

In a subsequent post, Von Batten confirmed speaking directly with Adeyemi, describing him as "sincere and credible." He believes Adeyemi's allegations warrant investigation by multiple U.S. institutions, including Congress, the State Department, and the Treasury. "Based on our discussion, I believe his allegations warrant an investigation by Congress, @StateDept, @USTreasury, @USGAO, 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 wrote.

Von Batten also revealed that he briefed senior members of former President Donald Trump's team over the weekend and that congressional briefings would commence this week. Adeyemi reportedly alleged that he was appointed by President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to head a Nigerian pre-selection committee.

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This is Dr. Von Batten. I just spoke with Mr. Adeyemi. I found him to be sincere and credible. Based on our discussion, I believe his allegations warrant an investigation by Congress, @StateDept, @USTreasury, @USGAO, 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.