Timi Frank Demands Probe into Death of Alleged PFIPC Intermediary, Seeks International Assistance

 Timi Frank Demands Probe into Death of Alleged PFIPC Intermediary, Seeks International Assistance

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called for an independent forensic investigation into the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the alleged bribery and appointment controversy involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Frank made the demand in a statement personally signed on Friday in Abuja, arguing that Nigerians deserve to know the true circumstances surrounding Tanimola's reported death, which he said occurred at a critical point in the ongoing controversy over the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

According to Frank, Tanimola allegedly served as the principal intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and key figures linked to the controversial agency, whose existence has been denied by the Federal Government. He maintained that Tanimola's testimony could have been crucial in shedding light on the allegations surrounding the establishment and operations of the purported council.

"For accountability's sake, the parents, family members, relatives and the nation at large deserve to know what led to Tanimola's death at a time when his presence would have helped uncover the truth in the current scandal rocking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration," Frank stated.

The former APC spokesman recalled that the Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier dismissed allegations linking Gbajabiamila to the activities of the purported PFIPC and its alleged Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Frank also referenced the Presidency's statement that police authorities confirmed Tanimola died in a hotel in Abuja five days before Adeyemi's arrest. However, he argued that the circumstances surrounding the death warrant an independent forensic investigation.

"The circumstances leading to Tanimola's death must be uncovered because he was identified as an intermediary and go-between for Prince Adeyemi in the alleged bribery and appointment scandal involving the Chief of Staff to the President," he said.

Frank further appealed to the international community, including the United States, the European Union and other technologically advanced nations, to support efforts to uncover what he described as the truth behind the controversy and alleged corruption linked to the purported agency.

He questioned how an agency reportedly unknown to the Presidency could allegedly operate from the Federal Secretariat, maintain an annual government allocation, represent Nigeria at international events, and engage with senior government officials and foreign diplomats.

According to Frank, it would have been impossible for an ordinary citizen to enjoy such privileges without official backing.

He also raised questions about reports that the alleged agency maintained a Central Bank of Nigeria account, received government funding, recruited staff and operated from government facilities despite official claims that it did not legally exist.

Frank said key government institutions, including the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Budget Office, the National Assembly and relevant security agencies, should provide explanations regarding the agency's reported activities.

He further claimed that information in the public domain suggested Prince Adeyemi, despite allegedly heading a non-existent agency, enjoyed official privileges, including police escorts, government vehicles and an official residence.

The Presidency has consistently denied any involvement with the purported PFIPC, while investigations into the allegations surrounding the agency and its activities remain ongoing.