A group, under the aegis of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, has asked Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu over the controversial bribery allegation levelled against him.
A statement by the group on Sunday charged the Federal Government to launch an independent investigation into the allegations that Gbajabiamila demanded N27.4bn and received N400m through proxies to facilitate the appointment of one Adeniyi Adeyemi as Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council/Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
Adeyemi was quoted as making the counter-allegations against Gbajabiamila while claiming that he was legally appointed by the Federal Government through a letter purportedly issued by the Chief of Staff.
The CDHR stated that Gbajabiamila should voluntarily step aside as the Chief of Staff pending the outcome of an independent investigation.
It said the call should not be construed as a presumption of guilt but as a necessary step to ensure the credibility and impartiality of any investigation.
“To preserve the credibility and integrity of the investigation, and in keeping with constitutional principles of accountability and international best practices in public governance, CDHR calls on Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to voluntarily step aside as Chief of Staff to the President pending the conclusion of an independent investigation,” the statement partly read.
The organization also noted that the demand that the Chief of Staff should temporarily step down from office is intended to eliminate any perception of interference, safeguard the integrity of the investigative process, reassure Nigerians that no public official is above the law, and reinforce public confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Recall that Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment.
The Presidency has, however, debunked the allegation, saying Gbajabiamila does not write letters or give appointments.
