A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has offered to assist the Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, in securing political asylum and whistleblower protection over allegations surrounding the council’s operations.
The firm’s founder, Karl Von Batten, also called for a United States investigation into claims that World Bank-backed funds embedded in Nigeria’s budget may have been misappropriated by senior government officials.
The development comes amid growing controversy over the PFIPC, an organisation the Presidency has publicly disowned despite its reported inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Act and alleged operation from an office within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement posted on his verified X account, Von Batten said he had spoken directly with Adeyemi and found him “sincere and credible”, adding that the allegations deserved scrutiny by US authorities because the World Bank, whose largest shareholder is the United States, finances part of Nigeria’s national budget.
“Based on our discussion, I believe his allegations warrant an investigation by the US Congress, the State Department, the Treasury Department, the Government Accountability Office and other relevant agencies over the alleged misappropriation of US-funded World Bank loans,” the lobbyist said.
He disclosed that his firm had already briefed senior members of US President Donald Trump’s team and would begin engagements with members of Congress this week.
Von Batten further warned that if any harm befell Adeyemi or members of his family while he was cooperating with US authorities, President Bola Tinubu would be held responsible and pursued through legal channels in the United States.
Adeyemi has alleged that the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, appointed him as Director-General of the PFIPC and that he paid N400 million through a proxy, with a further demand of N200 million allegedly made to finalise the appointment.
He also called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary in the process, alleging that there had been attempts on his own life.
The Presidency had last month distanced itself from the PFIPC, insisting that no such agency exists under the Tinubu administration.
However, Adeyemi rejected the disclaimer, questioning how the council allegedly secured a budgetary allocation for 2026 and operated with an office and staff if it was not recognised by the Federal Government.
Following the controversy, President Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the matter and submit its report within 30 days.
The latest intervention by Von Batten has also drawn attention because the same lobbying firm was engaged earlier this year by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar under a $1.2 million contract to strengthen his reputation in the United States and counter Federal Government lobbying efforts.
The firm was hired at a time when Atiku and other opposition leaders were battling internal leadership disputes within the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general election.
The PFIPC controversy has continued to generate public debate, with questions mounting over the council’s legal status, funding and the allegations of bribery surrounding its establishment.
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