A United States lobbying firm working for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says it will inform officials in President Donald Trump’s administration about the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
In a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, Washington-based firm Von Batten-Montague-York said Adeyemi was arrested just as arrangements were being made for him to engage senior officials in the Trump administration over allegations he had made against top figures in the Nigerian government.
The firm claimed Adeyemi was expected to submit documentary evidence and a sworn statement to US officials before his arrest.
According to the statement, the documents were to be forwarded to senior members of the Trump administration, who had requested information relating to Adeyemi’s claims.
Von Batten-Montague-York further alleged, without presenting evidence, that the arrest was intended to stop Adeyemi from sharing the materials with US authorities.
The firm said it would notify US officials of the arrest and also raise concerns about the circumstances surrounding it, including claims it had received suggesting that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, influenced the decision to arrest Adeyemi.
Managing Partner Karl Von Batten had earlier stated that he considered Adeyemi’s allegations credible and believed they deserved investigation by the US Congress, the State Department, the Treasury Department, the Government Accountability Office and other relevant agencies.
He also claimed he had already briefed senior members of President Trump’s team and planned to begin meetings with members of Congress this week.
DDM reports that Von Batten-Montague-York was hired by Atiku Abubakar under a 12-month contract worth $1.2 million to provide lobbying, strategic communications and reputational advisory services in the United States.
Adeyemi was arrested on Tuesday in Osun State by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
He is facing allegations of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Police accused him of forging official government documents, including a presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Investigators also alleged that he falsely presented himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an agency the Presidency insists does not exist.
Before his arrest, Adeyemi claimed he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the appointment and alleged that his life was in danger.
He also accused Gbajabiamila of demanding a share of the council’s budget, an allegation the Presidency has not admitted.
The case has been adjourned until September 30, 2026, when Adeyemi is expected to be arraigned.
