• ‘I borrowed N400m to fund my appointment’
• Claims ICPC won’t indict Gbajabiamila, already ‘exonerated’ by Tinubu
• 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.

Adeyemi, who is facing allegations related to his claim to have headed the PFIPC, insisted that he was not a fugitive and remained in Nigeria despite reports suggesting he was planning to leave the country. Asked about his whereabouts, he declined to disclose his location, citing security concerns.

The embattled claimant also defended the circumstances of his alleged appointment, saying he was initially sceptical about the role but became convinced of its authenticity after being allocated office space and receiving official correspondence purportedly from government agencies.

He alleged that he was asked to pay N300 million into a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recovery account following communications he said originated from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding office accommodation arrangements.

According to him, he borrowed the money to facilitate the process, maintaining that he acted in good faith based on representations made to him.

“I borrowed the money. Those who lent me the funds have also reported the matter. I paid because I believed the appointment was genuine,” he said.

The embattled Adeyemi also added that the financial burden from the creditors has forced him into hiding as he struggles to repay the debt. He stressed that the allegations of being fake were crafted by the presidency to discredit him in public, saying that he could not have gotten an office inside the Secretariat without the assistance of President Tinubu’s aides.

He noted that his passion for the country’s growth and development was the driving force behind his decision to get the appointment and midwife the agency under the Tinubu administration.

“I borrowed the N400 million I used to get the appointment, and the creditors are after me now. They have reported me to the EFCC. The creditors have written to the EFCC asking for their money, and I am yet to pay them back,” he stated.

The PFIPC boss, meanwhile, did not disclose the lenders’ identities or provide evidence to support his claims. Earlier, Adeyemi had explained why he established the agency, saying he aimed to attract foreign investors to Nigeria and support the administration of President Tinubu, not to pursue personal gain. He also said he had no knowledge of the agency’s alleged budget allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

“That’s the reason I paid the money. I just want to do my part for the country. That agency was established to bring in foreign investments to Nigeria and make Nigeria a preferred destination for foreign investors. I walk around the inter-ministerial agencies and partner with the MDAs and EFCC to make Nigeria a preferred world destination for investments. So, it’s not about personal interest. Before this whole brouhaha, we were expecting the world to be in Nigeria through our forthcoming global summit.”

He also questioned the Presidency’s claim that the council does not exist, saying he was unaware of how the agency appeared in the national budget. “This whole thing is confusing, especially when the Presidency said that the agency does not exist. How come? The agency that found its way into the national budget? I didn’t prepare any budget. In fact, I was in detention for 23 days when the budget for the Presidential Foreign Council was prepared and defended in the National Assembly between October and November.

“The former Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had invited me to explain how I came about the agency from the Chief of Staff to the President. I gave him the name and number of the person who facilitated the appointment letter for me. I was thereafter detained. How come the budget that nobody defended still found its way into the national budget? By the time I came out on November 19, 2025, I was charged to court, and they said the same office space had been reallocated to another government official. So, I’ve not been going to the office since October 27.”

Adeyemi dismissed allegations that he falsely presented himself as a United Nations appointee, describing the claims as part of a campaign to discredit him. He maintained that the allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the matter could only be resolved through an impartial investigation.

The PFIPC claimant praised President Tinubu for directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to look into aspects of the controversy, but argued that an independent panel comprising international organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders would be better positioned to establish the facts. “Let an independent panel unravel the truth. If I am wrong, let it be established. If I am right, let that also be known,” he said.

Explaining why he doesn’t have confidence in the ICPC probe, he said: “Government can’t probe government. Are you telling me that the ICPC would indict Chief Femi Gbajabiamila? It’s not possible. I thank our father, Mr President, for listening by setting up a panel, but what we need is an independent panel. The Presidency already exonerated Gbajabiamila.”

Responding to questions about ongoing court proceedings, Adeyemi said he had consistently appeared before the court and had only missed one sitting due to ill health. He rejected allegations that he was involved in fraud, insisting that he was prepared to face any lawful investigation provided it was conducted fairly and transparently.

Adeyemi further urged Nigerians to focus on documentary evidence rather than public narratives, claiming that efforts were being made to silence him.

The PFIPC controversy has generated widespread public attention in recent weeks, with government officials distancing themselves from the council and disputing claims regarding its official status. Investigations by anti-corruption agencies and court proceedings related to the matter are ongoing.