“I Borrowed ₦400 Million for this Appointment” – Adeyemi, ‘Fake’ PFIPC DG

Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), has admitted borrowing ₦400 million to secure what he described as an appointment, while calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the controversy surrounding the council.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television’s Programme Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye, Adeyemi revealed that he financed the appointment through loans obtained from wealthy individuals, adding that some of the lenders have already reported him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over their demands for repayment.

“I borrowed this money. In fact, those that I borrowed it from have reported me to the EFCC. They have also written to the EFCC asking me to refund their money. I’m not denying it—I borrowed the money,” he said.

Adeyemi made the remarks while responding to questions about allegations surrounding his activities and claims of holding an international appointment.

He also addressed reports that he had falsely announced an appointment linked to the United Nations, dismissing the allegations as part of a coordinated campaign against him.

Describing the handling of the PFIPC controversy as “unfortunate” and “embarrassing,” Adeyemi accused unnamed actors within government of unfairly portraying him as a fraudster.

“It is unfortunate. The way some actors in government are handling this matter is embarrassing. Imagine the government allowing one man to be branded a con artist before the whole world,” he said.

Responding to reports that a United States lobbying firm was assisting him in seeking asylum abroad, Adeyemi denied any knowledge of such arrangements.

“I read it the same way everyone else did because people forwarded it to me. I ignored it. They sponsored attacks that brought down my social media accounts. I’m still in Nigeria. I’m not going anywhere,” he stated.

Adeyemi used the interview to renew his call on President Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

The PFIPC has been at the centre of public controversy following questions over its legitimacy, structure, and the authority under which it was established, with government officials distancing the Presidency from the organisation.

Meanwhile, Von Batten-Montague-York, LC, a US-based lobbying firm, states it is ready to assist Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the so-called “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 responding to reports of the PFIPC scandal.

Von Batten noted that US authorities would be interested in the case because funds from the World Bank are part of Nigeria’s national budget.