US lobbying firm hired by Atiku offers to help Adeniyi Adeyemi seek asylum over PFIPC scandal
A US lobbying firm has offered to assist Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the director of a non-existent Nigerian government agency, in seeking asylum. Adeyemi alleges high-level corruption involving Nigerian officials and the misappropriation of World Bank funds.
Why it matters
The case highlights potential international corruption and the complexities of whistleblower protection in high-stakes political scandals.
Von Batten-Montague-York, LC, a US-based lobbying firm, says it is prepared to assist Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the “controversial” presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC), in seeking asylum and whistleblower protection.
Karl Von Batten, founder of the lobbying firm, made the offer in a post on X on Saturday while reacting to reports of the PFIPC scandal.
Von Batten said US authorities would be interested in the case because funds from the World Bank form part of Nigeria ‘s national budget. The US is the World Bank’s largest shareholder.
Despite having no legal framework or presidential declaration, the PFIPC operated like a government agency with an allocation in the 2026 budget, an office in the federal secretariat complex, and recruited staff.
Last month, the presidency distanced itself from the council, insisting that it does not exist under the current administration.
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