Fagbemi Calls For Suspension Of Gbajabiamila, Akume, Others Linked To PFIPC’s Scandal

A political scientist and analyst, Kunle Fagbemi, has called for top government officials linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council saga to be placed on administrative leave.

NEWSNGR reports that Fagbemi made the call on Monday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show.

He listed those who should step aside as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso; Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack.

Fagbemi said President Bola Tinubu should also order an audit of offices and residences in the State House.

He said, “The Presidency of Nigeria is solely vested in the President of Nigeria.

“An audit of all offices and residential areas in the State House must be carried out. President Tinubu should institute a panel of inquiry against this ‘fake agency’.”

Fagbemi said the officials should proceed on administrative leave to allow a proper investigation.

“In furtherance of the procedure of the public service rule, I invite the following officers under the auspices of the directives from the incumbent President to be asked to proceed on administrative leave.

“They are the Chief of staff to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Director of Banking Operations of the CBN, and the Director-General of Budget Office,” he said.

The controversy followed allegations by the self-styled Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional ₦200 million to secure his appointment.

The Presidency has denied the allegation, insisting that Gbajabiamila could not issue appointment letters or make such appointments.

Fagbemi, however, said the officials should explain their roles before a panel of inquiry.

“These officers may need to understand that the data already in the public domain demands that they must answer their portfolios correctly, and they would need to appear before the panel of inquiry,” he said.