“My life is in danger,” PFIPC DG urges Tinubu to expand probe beyond ICPC

The director-general of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel to examine the controversy surrounding the council and the alleged ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget.

In an open letter dated July 13, Adeyemi commended the President for directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the PFIPC controversy but argued that the current framework may not guarantee an impartial outcome.

“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 read.

“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.”

Adeyemi also claimed that surrendering himself to security agencies under the current circumstances would put his life at risk.

He alleged that he had received “verified, highly reliable intelligence” indicating that he was being targeted for elimination.

As part of his concerns, Adeyemi referenced the reported death of Dolapo Tanimola, whom he described as “a central intermediary” in the controversy, following 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 earlier stated that Adeyemi informed the police that Tanimola helped him obtain the alleged fake appointment letter.

Although there is no legal framework or presidential proclamation establishing the PFIPC, the council reportedly operated like a government agency, secured a budget allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act, occupied office space at the Federal Secretariat and recruited staff.

The controversy has continued to attract public attention after the Presidency described the PFIPC as a fictitious organisation.

Adeyemi is expected to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday to face charges bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences linked to his purported appointment as the council’s director-general.

He also appealed to President Tinubu to broaden the investigation by including civil society organisations (CSOs), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), independent media representatives and human rights observers in the panel.

Adeyemi said he was willing 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.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Adeyemi maintained that he was not evading the authorities but feared for his safety.

“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.”