U.S. LOBBYING FIRM TO BRIEF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ON ADEYEMI'S ARREST

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By: Sunmola Ganiyat

A United States lobbying firm retained by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Von Batten-Montague-York, says it will inform officials in President Donald Trump’s administration about the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

The Washington-based firm made the announcement in a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, shortly after Adeyemi was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force following a bench warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the firm, Adeyemi’s arrest came just as arrangements were being made for him to hold discussions with senior officials in the Trump administration regarding allegations he had levelled 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 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.

Von Batten-Montague-York further alleged, without presenting evidence, that Adeyemi’s arrest was orchestrated to stop him from sharing information with U.S. authorities.

“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.

“We will keep the public updated on developments,” the firm stated.

The statement followed an earlier post by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, who said he had already briefed members of President Trump’s team on Adeyemi’s claims and planned to engage members of the U.S. Congress.

“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, @StateDept, @USTreasury, @USGAO, 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. This past weekend, I briefed senior members of President @realDonaldTrump’s team on these allegations, and our team will begin briefing Members of Congress this week,” he wrote on Monday.

The Media reports that Atiku Abubakar engaged Von Batten-Montague-York under a 12-month, $1.2 million contract to lobby U.S. government officials and provide strategic communications and reputation management services.

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 over allegations of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Police accused Adeyemi of forging official government documents, including an alleged presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. He was also accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an agency the Presidency has said does not exist.

Before his arrest, Adeyemi claimed he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the appointment and said he feared for his safety.

He also alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a share of the agency’s budget, an accusation the Presidency has not publicly responded to.

The matter has been adjourned until September 30, 2026, for Adeyemi’s arraignment.