A United States lobbying firm engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Von Batten-Montague-York, says it will brief members of President Donald Trump’s administration on the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The Washington-based firm disclosed this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday, hours after Mr Adeyemi was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Firm links arrest to planned U.S. briefing
According to the firm, Mr Adeyemi’s arrest came just as arrangements were being concluded for him to engage senior officials in the Trump administration over allegations he 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 read.
The firm said Mr Adeyemi was expected to submit documentary evidence and a sworn statement to U.S. officials.
“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.
Allegations against Presidency
Without presenting evidence, Von Batten-Montague-York alleged that Mr Adeyemi’s arrest was intended to stop him from sharing information with U.S. authorities.
The firm claimed it would inform the Trump administration of the circumstances surrounding the arrest, including allegations that it was influenced by the Presidency.
“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,” the statement said.
It added that it would continue to update the public on developments.
Managing partner seeks U.S. investigation
Earlier this week, the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, disclosed that he had discussed Mr Adeyemi’s claims with members of President Trump’s team and planned to brief members of the U.S. Congress.
According to him, Mr Adeyemi’s allegations warranted investigation by the U.S. Congress, the State Department, the U.S. Treasury, the Government Accountability Office and other relevant agencies over the alleged misuse of World Bank-funded loans in Nigeria.
Atiku’s lobbying contract
The development comes months after Atiku Abubakar engaged Von Batten-Montague-York under a $1.2 million, 12-month lobbying agreement.
The contract covers lobbying U.S. government officials as well as providing strategic communications and reputational advisory services on behalf of the former vice president.
Police arrest and court proceedings
Mr 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 in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The police accused him of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation, alleging that he forged official government documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Investigators also alleged that Mr Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an agency the Presidency insists does not exist.
Before his arrest, Mr Adeyemi claimed he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the appointment and alleged that he feared for his life.
He also accused Mr Gbajabiamila of demanding a share of the agency’s budget, an allegation the Presidency has not publicly admitted.
The case has been adjourned until 30 September 2026, for his arraignment.
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