‘Gbajabiamila Should Step Aside For Probe’ – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has asked the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to step aside to allow a full investigation into the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Falana said the Presidency owed Nigerians explanations over how the disputed agency allegedly appeared in official government processes despite being described as non-existent.

Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, Falana said the controversy had exposed Nigeria to “unprecedented ridicule.”

He said, “How did an agency that is not created by law find its way into the Appropriation Act of Nigeria? How did that body get an office in the Federal Secretariat? How did that body successfully open accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria?

“How did the Head of Service post about 300 staff to that office? The government will have to explain to Nigerians how a sum of ₦24 billion was budgeted for an unknown agency, as well as how that agency had accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“If this is a conman that can con the Presidency into issuing a letter of appointment, con the Central Bank into opening accounts, con the National Assembly into inserting the agency into the budget, I think the government is kidding.”

Gbajabiamila denied knowing Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.

He said the agency was non-existent and that he petitioned security agencies after forged appointment letters allegedly surfaced.

Adeyemi was later charged before the Federal High Court over alleged forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

Adeyemi, however, denied the allegations and claimed that he had been issued an appointment letter by Gbajabiamila.

Falana said the National Assembly must explain how an “agency unknown to law” was allegedly inserted into the budget.

Citing Section 81 of the Constitution, he noted that appropriation bills originate from the Executive.

He stated, “You cannot have an agency that is not created by law in the budget of a country.

“The government has a duty to ask Mr Gbajabiamila to step aside to allow for a full investigation in the interest of the country and even in his own interest.”