PFIPC Scandal: We’ll Report ‘Fake’ DG’s Arrest To Trump Administration, Says Atiku-Linked US Firm

A United States lobbying firm engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced plans to brief members of President Donald Trump’s administration on the arrest of self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

The Washington-based firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, made the disclosure in a statement posted on its official X account on Wednesday morning, hours after Adeyemi was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the firm, Adeyemi’s arrest came at a time it was preparing to facilitate discussions between him and senior officials in the Trump administration over allegations he had made against top Nigerian government officials.

“We learned a short time ago that Mr. Adeyemi has been arrested by Nigerian law enforcement just as we were preparing for him to speak with senior members of President @realDonaldTrump’s Administration,” the statement said.

The lobbying firm stated that Adeyemi was expected to submit documentary evidence and a sworn statement to U.S. officials regarding the allegations.

“We are told that his arrest occurred shortly after it became public that we were in contact with him and just before he was expected to provide us with evidentiary materials and a sworn statement regarding his account.

“Those materials were to be transmitted to senior members of the Trump Administration, who had requested that we provide all available information concerning Mr. Adeyemi’s allegations,” it added.

Von Batten-Montague-York further alleged, without presenting evidence, that the arrest was orchestrated to prevent Adeyemi from sharing information with U.S. authorities.

“Tomorrow, we will report that Mr. Adeyemi has been arrested. We will also report our concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding his arrest, including information we have received suggesting that his prompt arrest was pushed by President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to prevent Mr. Adeyemi from presenting evidence to the U.S. government.

“We will keep the public updated on developments,” the statement read.

The latest development follows an earlier statement issued on Monday by the firm’s Managing Partner, Karl Von Batten, who claimed he had already briefed members of President Trump’s team on Adeyemi’s allegations and intended to engage members of the U.S. Congress.

“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.

“This past weekend, I briefed senior members of President @realDonaldTrump’s team on these allegations, and our team will begin briefing Members of Congress this week,” Von Batten wrote.

Recall that Atiku Abubakar retained the Washington-based lobbying firm under a 12-month contract valued at $1.2 million. The agreement reportedly covers lobbying U.S. government officials as well as strategic communications and reputational advisory services on behalf of the former vice president.

LEADERSHIP reports that Adeyemi was arrested on Tuesday in Osun State by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

The police accused Adeyemi of forging official government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. He is also accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an agency the Presidency has maintained does not exist.

Before his arrest, Adeyemi had alleged that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the appointment and claimed he feared for his life. He also accused Gbajabiamila of demanding a share of the agency’s budget, an allegation that has not been admitted by the Presidency.

The case has been adjourned until September 30, 2026, for Adeyemi’s arraignment.