Political scientist and analyst, Dr Kunle Fagbemi, has called for the suspension of some top government officials over the alleged fake agency controversy involving Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Fagbemi, who spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, said Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, should step aside pending an investigation into the matter.
He also listed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso; Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack; and the Director of Banking Operations at the CBN among officials who should proceed on administrative leave.
The analyst’s demand followed allegations by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and requested an additional N200 million to facilitate his appointment.
The Presidency has dismissed the allegation, stating that Gbajabiamila has no authority to make appointments or issue official appointment letters.
Speaking further, Fagbemi urged President Bola Tinubu to establish an investigative panel to probe the circumstances surrounding the alleged fake agency.
“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,” he said.
He added that the affected officials should be invited to appear before the panel of inquiry to explain their roles and responsibilities.
“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,” Fagbemi stated.
The controversy over PFIPC has continued to generate public debate, with calls from various groups for transparency and accountability from the government.
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.