‘We’ll Report ‘Fake DG’ Adeyemi’s Arrest to Trump Administration’ – US Firm

A United States-based lobbying firm engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said it will inform members of President Donald Trump’s administration about the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man who claimed to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, made the disclosure on Wednesday after Adeyemi was taken into custody by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

Adeyemi was arrested following a bench warrant issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over allegations bordering on forgery, impersonation and conspiracy.

In a statement released through its social media platform, the Washington-based firm said Adeyemi’s arrest came at a time it was arranging engagements between him and senior officials in the Trump administration.

According to the firm, Adeyemi was expected to submit documents and a sworn statement relating to allegations he had made against some senior 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 said.

The firm further stated that it had been informed that the arrest occurred shortly after its contacts with Adeyemi became public knowledge.

It added that the materials Adeyemi intended to provide were expected to be transmitted to senior members of the Trump administration who had reportedly requested information concerning his allegations.

“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,” the firm stated.

The lobbying company also claimed that it would raise concerns with U.S. officials about the circumstances surrounding Adeyemi’s arrest.

“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 statement added.

The latest development comes days after the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, publicly expressed support for Adeyemi’s claims and called for investigations by relevant U.S. agencies.

In an earlier statement, Von Batten said he had spoken directly with Adeyemi and found his allegations serious enough to warrant scrutiny by American authorities and lawmakers.

He also disclosed plans to brief members of the U.S. Congress and officials within the Trump administration on the matter.

The controversy surrounding Adeyemi has continued to attract attention following claims that he was appointed to head the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

However, the Presidency has maintained that no such agency exists within the federal government.

Police authorities allege that Adeyemi forged official government documents, including a purported appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Investigators also accused him of falsely presenting himself as the head of a non-existent government agency.

Before his arrest, Adeyemi had made a series of allegations against senior government figures. He claimed that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure the appointment and expressed fears over his safety.

He also accused Gbajabiamila of seeking a share of the agency’s proposed budget, claims that have not been admitted by the Presidency.

Following the issuance of a bench warrant by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team arrested Adeyemi in Osun State and transferred him into custody.

The court has fixed September 30, 2026, for his arraignment.