A legal practitioner, Frank Tietie, has described the controversy surrounding allegations of bribery against the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, as a major national and institutional failure, calling for accountability at the highest level of government.
Tietie made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television, where he reacted to claims involving alleged financial inducements linked to appointments within the presidency.
Allegations and counterclaims
The Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, had alleged that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy and later demanded an additional ₦200 million in connection with securing an appointment.
However, the Presidency dismissed the allegations, insisting that Gbajabiamila does not have the authority to issue letters or make appointments, and rejecting the claims as baseless.
Reaction from Frank Tietie
Tietie said the situation reflected what he described as a deep institutional breakdown in governance and oversight.
He argued that if such allegations were allowed to persist without independent verification, it would amount to a serious governance failure. He further suggested that the National Assembly should hold President Bola Tinubu accountable for the handling of the matter.
Bola Tinubu
In his words, he warned that continued tolerance of unresolved allegations could damage public trust in government institutions, describing the situation as “an embarrassment” and a potential constitutional concern if not properly addressed.
Background
The PFIPC controversy has continued to generate public debate, with conflicting claims between the allegations made by Adeyemi and the official denial from the Presidency.
Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council
Conclusion
The incident has intensified scrutiny of senior officials within the presidency, with growing calls for clearer investigations and stronger institutional accountability.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.