The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the immediate suspension of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila over alleged bribery.
Its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement issued Wednesday expressed concern over the unfolding controversy surrounding the alleged activities of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), the conflicting claims regarding its legal statusand its appearance in the 2026 national budget.
He noted: “ What began as a dispute over the existence of a government agency has rapidly evolved into a major national controversy with far-reaching implications for public accountability, fiscal transparency, institutional integrity and the credibility of the Federal Government.
“The allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi are too serious to be dismissed with press statements, political spin or administrative denials.
“Nigerians have been confronted with disturbing claims involving alleged bribery, disputed appointments, budgetary allocations running into billions of naira, alleged government recognition of an agency publicly disowned by the Presidency, and questions regarding official engagements allegedly undertaken on behalf of the disputed council.”
Onwubiko said more troubling is the fact that documents and reports in the public domain appear to show that the PFIPC was captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act with substantial budgetary provisions.
He emphasised that if the agency truly does not exist, then Nigerians deserve to know how a supposedly non-existent body found its way into the national budget after passing through multiple layers of executive scrutiny, legislative consideration and presidential approval.
The coordinator stressed that if, on the other hand, the agency exists or existed in some official capacity, then Nigerians equally deserve answers regarding its legal foundation, operational mandate, funding structure and oversight mechanisms.
Onwubiko stated: “HURIWA is therefore calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant investigative agencies to launch a comprehensive, transparent and time-bound investigation into all aspects of the controversy.
“The investigation must determine: Whether the PFIPC was lawfully established and under whose authority.
“How the council was included in the 2026 national budget. Whether public funds were appropriated or released to the organisation.
“Whether any public officials benefited financially from its operations. The authenticity of documents, appointments and correspondences associated with the council.
“The veracity of allegations relating to the alleged N400 million payment and other financial transactions.
“To guarantee public confidence in the process, HURIWA insists that the Chief of Staff should step aside or be suspended for the duration of the investigation.”