By Augustine Akhilomen
…As FG Files Charges Against Adeyemi
Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and Presidential Economic Advisory Council, has disclosed that he was duly employed and issued a letter of appointment by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded ₦27.4 billion from the take-off grant of a purported agency and collected ₦400 million, through proxies, to secure his appointment as director-general of the agency.
He alleged that the dispute arose after he refused to surrender 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant.
He further claimed he paid N400 million to secure his appointment and still owed a balance of N200 million.
Recall that the Presidency had distanced itself from Adeyemi and a group known as the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council,” stating that neither the organisation nor any appointment connected to it exists under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a disclaimer issued by the Chief of Staff to the President, Gbajabiamila cautioned the public, diplomatic missions and international organisations against recognising or engaging with individuals or activities associated with the purported council.
However, reacting to the development in an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday, Adeyemi denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Gbajabiamila, was aware of his appointment.
Responding to a question on whether he was evading law enforcement authorities, Adeyemi said: “Not at all.”
When asked if he was prepared to face the legal process, he replied, “Definitely, if I am wrong, let the court of law do that; if I am right, let the court of law do the right thing. Do you know what? Since the matter is in the court, let the court of competent jurisdiction vindicate me because I am ready to clear my name.
“Let the court take its course. Since my lawyers are involved, everybody will follow us, they will monitor the whole thing. Let the court of competent jurisdiction do the needful. I have a letter of appointment. However, since the matter is in the court, I won’t be able to say much about it, I am on medication. I am a bit down, I am sick.”
Asked whether he considered himself a criminal, Adeyemi responded, “No, I am not a criminal. However, the court will do justice to that.”
On whether the Chief of Staff to the President was aware of his appointment, he answered, “Yes.”
Pressed further on whether the confirmation of his appointment came through Gbajabiamila’s office, Adeyemi again replied, “Yes, let the court vindicate all those things.”
Addressing Nigerians over the controversy, Adeyemi argued that it would have been impossible for him to operate openly for years if the agency he claimed to represent did not exist.
“I want Nigerians to know that, for one second, let us assume the agency does not exist, would I have the temerity, the audacity, to be going all over the country, meeting the head of ministry, department and agency, if I know that the agency does not exist, or as they allege me that I cooked up everything? No Nigerian can dare do that. I could not have summoned the courage to be going from one place to another for almost three years. Nigeria is not a banana republic.”