Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Timi Frank, has called for a forensic investigation into the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a principal intermediary in the alleged appointment and bribery scandal involving the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
Frank said the circumstances surrounding Tanimola's reported death should be thoroughly investigated, arguing that the deceased could have provided crucial information capable of shedding light on the controversy.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Frank said the public, as well as Tanimola's family, deserved to know the true circumstances surrounding his death in the interest of transparency and accountability.
His demand followed a statement by the Presidency, signed by 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 activities of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and its Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
According to Frank, the Presidency had stated that police confirmed Tanimola died in a hotel in Abuja five days before Adeyemi's arrest.
The political activist insisted that the reported circumstances of Tanimola's death should be subjected to an independent forensic investigation because he was allegedly identified as an intermediary in the appointment and bribery allegations.
Frank also appealed to the international community, including the United States, the European Union and other advanced nations, to support efforts aimed at uncovering what he described as the truth behind the controversy.
He argued that it would have been difficult for an individual to enjoy extensive government patronage, including operating from the Federal Secretariat, receiving budgetary allocations, attending foreign engagements on behalf of Nigeria and interacting with top government officials, without backing from the Presidency.
According to him, the agency allegedly operated with official recognition, maintained an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, recruited personnel and functioned from government premises, raising questions about the level of official oversight.
Frank further called on 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 security agencies to provide explanations regarding the issues raised.
He also referred to reports claiming that the PFIPC enjoyed police escorts, official vehicles and an official residence despite allegations that it lacked legal status.
The former APC spokesman further cited media reports alleging that the Federal Government approved the recruitment of 300 personnel for the council in August 2025 through a letter reportedly issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Describing the controversy as a major corruption scandal, Frank urged Nigerians, civil society organisations and other stakeholders not to remain silent, insisting that accountability must prevail.
He further criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, alleging that recent developments reflected poor governance and weak institutional oversight.
Frank also faulted the National Assembly, saying effective legislative oversight could have prevented the emergence of the agency if lawmakers had diligently performed their constitutional responsibilities.
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