NEWS
Timi Frank Demands Forensic Probe Into Mysterious Death of Alleged Intermediary in Presidential Appointment Scandal
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called for a comprehensive forensic investigation into the mysterious death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as the principal intermediary in the alleged appointment and bribery scandal linked to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Frank made the demand in a statement issued on Friday, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death must be thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability and transparency.
According to him, the late Tanimola was a key figure whose testimony could have shed more light on the controversy surrounding the alleged activities of the PFIPC and its Director General, Adeniyi Adeyemi. He argued that Tanimola’s untimely death has raised serious concerns, especially at a time when his presence would have been crucial in uncovering the truth behind the allegations rocking the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He stressed that Tanimola’s parents, family members, relatives, and indeed Nigerians deserve to know the actual cause of his death, adding that only a credible forensic investigation can provide the answers the public seeks.
Frank’s call follows a recent statement by the Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissing allegations against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the alleged activities of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and its Director General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Reacting to the Presidency’s position, Frank noted that government officials had stated that the Nigeria Police confirmed Tanimola died in a hotel in Abuja five days before the arrest of Prince Adeyemi.
However, he maintained that the circumstances surrounding the death remain questionable and deserve a detailed forensic examination.
He argued that Tanimola had been 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, Femi Gbajabiamila, making it imperative for investigators to establish exactly what transpired before his death.
The political activist also appealed to the international community, including the United States of America, the European Union, and other technologically advanced nations, to support Nigeria in uncovering the true circumstances surrounding what he described as monumental corruption allegations currently confronting the country.
Frank further questioned how an individual could allegedly operate an agency that enjoyed official recognition and government privileges without the knowledge or backing of the Presidency.
According to him, it is inconceivable that an ordinary citizen could receive government patronage, annual budgetary allocations, office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, represent Nigeria at international engagements, and host high-ranking government officials, including National Assembly leaders, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and foreign ambassadors, without official support from the highest levels of government.
He maintained that such an agency could not have opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), secured government allocations, recruited personnel, and operated from a government facility without the awareness of the Presidency.
“By now, we expected the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Central Bank, the Budget Office, the National Assembly, and the relevant security agencies to be answering uncomfortable questions.
“Despite widespread claims that the agency Prince Adeyemi ran did not legally exist, there is information in the public domain that the purported Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention and Promotion Council enjoyed six police officers as escorts, official vehicles, and even an official residence.
“There were also media reports this Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration granted a waiver to PFIPC under Prince Adeyemi to recruit 300 members of staff in August 2025.
“The media reports revealed that Mimi Abu, director, organization design and development, in the office of the head of the civil service of the federation, conveyed the government’s approval for recruitment in a letter dated August 7, 2025,” Frank said.
Frank insisted that the issues raised by the controversy require transparent investigation, urging relevant authorities to provide clear answers to Nigerians and ensure that every individual connected to the matter is held accountable in accordance with the law.