PFIPC Fraud: Gbajabiamila should step aside for probe – Femi Falana
Human Rights Lawyer Calls for Chief of Staff to Step Aside Amid Fraud Allegations
NIGERIA — Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer, has called on Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, to step down temporarily as allegations of fraud surrounding his office continue to unfold. The accusations also involve Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
In a statement made on June 11, 2026, Gbajabiamila denied any association with Adeyemi, describing PFIPC as a nonexistent entity. He reported that he filed a petition with security agencies in October 2025 after fraudulent appointment letters were discovered. Subsequently, Adeyemi was charged in the Federal High Court with forgery, impersonation, and obtaining by false pretenses.
Adeyemi has vehemently denied all allegations, vowing to clear his name in court. He is advocating for an independent investigation, asserting that those behind the claims aim to silence him, and reiterated that Gbajabiamila had issued him an official appointment letter.
Falana has expressed concerns regarding the implications of these events for the presidency, urging the government to clarify its position to the Nigerian public. Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, he emphasized that the situation has led to significant embarrassment for the country.
He questioned how an agency lacking legal foundation could be included in Nigeria’s Appropriation Act, secure office space within the Federal Secretariat, and maintain accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Furthermore, he raised concerns about the apparent posting of approximately 300 staff to this undocumented agency.
Falana insisted that the government must explain the budgeting of 24 billion naira for an agency that is “unknown to law.” He stressed that the National Assembly also needs to address how such an agency was incorporated into the national budget.
According to Falana, under Section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution, appropriation bills must originate from the Executive, and it is inappropriate to include an unrecognized agency in the budget. He urged the government to require Gbajabiamila to step aside for a thorough investigation, emphasizing that this action is crucial for the nation and for the Chief of Staff’s own interests.