Adeniyi Adeyemi to Tinubu: My Life is in Danger… Expand PFIPC Probe Beyond ICPC

Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC), says President Bola Tinubu should constitute an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel to probe the controversy surrounding the council and the alleged N1.3 billion budget allocation.

In an open letter dated July 13, Adeyemi commended Tinubu for directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the PFIPC scandal.

However, he expressed reservations, saying “under the current framework, obtaining a truly impartial hearing presents severe structural challenges.”

“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,” the letter reads.

“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 N1.3 billion allocation inserted into the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

“This directive is a vital first step, but the structural realities of this investigation compel me to speak out of a profound desire for absolute transparency.”

He said surrendering himself to security agencies under the current circumstances would endanger his life.

Adeyemi also alleged that he had received “verified, highly reliable intelligence” suggesting that he was being targeted for elimination.

He cited the reported death of Dolapo Tanimola, whom he described as “a central intermediary” in the matter, in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Utako, Abuja.

“This is not an unfounded fear. My concerns are deeply validated by the highly alarming events surrounding Mr. Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, a central intermediary in this matter,” he said.

“Official reports claim Mr. Tanimola tragically died in a sudden fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Utako, Abuja. Yet, there remains a total absence of independent eyewitness or media verification of any such inferno.

“More disturbingly, under highly unclear circumstances and without the official involvement of any federal capital regulatory agency, the entire Kachi Hotel structure was swiftly invaded by unidentified armed actors and manually demolished down to the rubble days later—effectively erasing a vital physical crime scene and erasing material evidence.

“Following this calculated destruction of a key locus of this investigation, alongside multiple direct attempts on my life and the safety of my family, I am forced to communicate from a secure, undisclosed location.”

The presidency had said that Adeyemi told the police that Tanimola assisted him in procuring the fake appointment letter.

Despite the absence of any legal framework or presidential declaration establishing it, PFIPC operated like a government agency, receiving an allocation in the 2026 budget, occupying an office at the federal secretariat and also recruiting staff.

The PFIPC controversy has generated public attention after the presidency described the council as a fictitious organisation.

Adeyemi is expected to face trial before a federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday after police filed charges bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences arising from his purported appointment as the council’s director-general.

‘INCLUDE CSOS, NBA, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN INVESTIGATION PANEL’

Adeyemi appealed to Tinubu to include civil society organisations (CSOs), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), independent media representatives, and human rights observers in the investigative panel.

Adeyemi said he is ready to “present the facts and cooperate entirely with a balanced, secure, and independent panel”.

“Therefore, I respectfully urge Your Excellency to expand the scope of this inquiry by establishing an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Adeyemi said he is not running away from authorities.

He insisted that since the presidency had exonerated Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, in the matter, an independent panel should be constituted.

“I’m not hiding. I only fear for my life. I have it in good authority that my life is in danger. There are several attempts on my life out there.

“I’m further appealing to him (Tinubu) to please set up an independent panel.

“You can see that the presidency has already exonerated Femi Gbajabiamila in this matter, saying Gbajabiamila does not know anything. It is acceptable. Let an independent panel prove that.

“I appreciate the president for taking the first step by asking ICPC to … sorry to say, but the government cannot investigate itself.

“His Excellency (Gbajabimila) has already been exonerated by the presidency, and there is counter-evidence against each other. Let Mr President, please, set up an independent panel.”