Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), says those who lent him N400 million to secure his appointment have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over repayment.
Adeyemi, who is facing allegations of forgery and impersonation over the existence of the PFIPC, made the disclosure on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The Presidency has said the council does not exist and that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
On July 7, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the PFIPC controversy.
Responding to questions about the source of the funds he used to operate and the resources at his disposal, Adeyemi said the money was borrowed.
“Mr. Seun, I borrowed this money. In fact, those that I borrowed this N400 million have reported to EFCC,” he said.
“I borrowed this money to pay for this appointment. In fact, I can tell you, they have reported to the EFCC, asking me to refund their money. I borrowed this money.”
Adeyemi also dismissed allegations that he falsely claimed to have received an appointment from the United Nations (UN).
“It’s all sponsored. It’s a campaign of calumny. They should let us face the facts and documents. It is unfortunate that some actors in the government are taking up this matter. It’s unfortunate, and it’s embarrassing,” he said.
“Honestly, imagine the government claiming that one man, and called me a con artist, manoeuvred the whole system; it is unfortunate.”
Reacting to reports that a US-based lobbying firm is helping him seek asylum abroad, Adeyemi denied planning to leave Nigeria.
“I just ignored it because they sponsor a lot of people to bring my social media handle down,” he said.
“I don’t really know much about what is going on again. They said I was about to run away out of Nigeria. I’m still in Nigeria. I’m not going anywhere.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on: