A policy and government relations consultancy based in the United States, Von Batten-Montague York, has sounded the alarm regarding allegations tied to the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), cautioning that the situation could draw scrutiny from prominent American legislators and authorities.
The organization revealed that it has already updated high-level figures in U.S. President Donald Trump’s political circle on assertions made by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the individual who has consistently claimed he was chosen to lead the PFIPC before the Nigerian administration subsequently distanced itself from both the entity and his purported selection. According to the firm, arrangements are also underway to brief members of the United States Congress concerning the claims, which focus on allegations of financial impropriety involving capital linked to initiatives backed by the World Bank.
In a public communication distributed on Tuesday, Dr. Von Batten indicated that he had held a personal conversation with Adeyemi and deemed his narrative sufficiently credible to merit investigation by multiple American bodies. He declared, “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, State Department, US Treasury, the US Government Accountability Office , 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.”
The consultancy additionally disclosed that preliminary talks had occurred with influential associates of President Trump’s administration. “This past weekend, I briefed senior members of President Donald Trump team on these allegations, and our team will begin briefing Members of Congress this week,” the statement remarked.
The PFIPC dispute has captured considerable public interest in recent times. Adeyemi stepped into the limelight after declaring himself the Director-General of the council.
On the other hand, the Presidency subsequently characterized the association as illegitimate and rejected any formal ties to the entity. Suspicions regarding the council grew after reports associated it with contested fiscal allocations and alleged additions to the proposed 2026 national budget.
In its most recent update, the American firm stated that Adeyemi insisted he was officially designated by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, to head a public institution. According to the assertions conveyed by the consultancy, Adeyemi contended that office space was allocated for the institution within state facilities and that financial accounts linked to the body were set up through the Central Bank of Nigeria. He also allegedly asserted that the agency was allocated resources via the national budget, including capital connected to initiatives sponsored by the World Bank.
The communication further quoted Adeyemi accusing Gbajabiamila of demanding a percentage of the entity’s budgetary allocation. “Mr. Adeyemi further alleges that Mr. #Gbajabiamila demanded 45% of the agency’s budget and that, after he refused, he became the target of retaliation and the agency was subsequently labeled fraudulent or ‘fake.’”
These claims have not been independently confirmed, and there has been no formal feedback from the Presidency concerning the latest assertions delivered through the U.S. consultancy. Dr. Von Batten also raised apprehensions regarding Adeyemi’s physical security, noting that the former PFIPC official asserted that he and his relatives had faced intimidation. “Mr. Adeyemi informed me that he and his family have received threats and that he is currently in hiding out of concern for their safety.”
The firm delivered a straightforward caution to President Bola Tinubu, declaring that any harm coming to Adeyemi while he is collaborating with American investigators would prompt demands for retribution. “To President #Tinubu, if any harm comes to Mr. Adeyemi or his family while he is prepared to speak with U.S. officials, you will be held responsible and face U.S. justice.”
It also reiterated a previous proposal to assist Adeyemi if he chooses to seek safety in the United States. The organization maintained that because World Bank-backed capital forms a portion of Nigeria’s fiscal framework, assertions involving these resources could draw the attention of U.S. officials, particularly since America is the primary shareholder in the World Bank.
This latest turn of events occurs shortly after Adeyemi dispatched an open message to President Tinubu, requesting a more comprehensive and unbiased inquiry into the PFIPC dispute and the controversial ₦1.3 billion funding inserted into the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
In the correspondence dated July 13, 2026, Adeyemi expressed approval of the President’s instruction for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the situation. However, he maintained that the investigation must involve a broader range of stakeholders to ensure transparency and public confidence.
Appealing to the President, he wrote: “I write to you not as a fugitive evading accountability, but as a Nigerian citizen who maintains an unwavering belief in equity, justice, and the rule of law.”
He also declared, “I commend your recent directive tasking the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with investigating the circumstances surrounding the PFIPC Scandal and ₦1.3 billion allocation inserted into the 2026 Appropriation Bill.”
According to Adeyemi, a more expansive inquiry would help resolve doubts regarding neutrality and bolster faith in the investigation’s conclusions.
