The Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Governance, CTAG, has asked the Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Police Force and other relevant anti-corruption agencies to immediately arrest and investigate one Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi over what it called “a dangerous pattern of impersonation, misinformation, a cocktail of blackmail and attempts to undermine public institutions.
The group made the call in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Sunday Itodo and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday.
The group condemned what it said were “reckless and scandalous allegations” made by Adeyemi against the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, saying such allegations must not be left uninvestigated.
The categorical disclaimer issued by the OCS to the President that no agency known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council exists under the Presidency, raises serious questions about the authenticity of Adeyemi’s claims and activities.
“The group said, “Prince Adeyemi has claimed publicly to be the head of an agency which the Presidency has unequivocally denied knowledge of. This is a serious matter involving national security, public confidence and the integrity of government institutions. “The DSS and the police must invite and investigate him immediately.”
CTAG has urged Adeyemi to make public immediately his alleged appointment letter as the Head of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
“If indeed such an agency exists and Prince Adeyemi was legitimately appointed to head it, he should make public his appointment letter and reveal the authority under which the appointment was made.
He also claimed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved not less than 300 staff members for the take-off of the agency. Nigerians have the right to know who these alleged staff members are.
“We are therefore demanding that Prince Adeyemi should immediately publish the list of the said 300 staff, where and when their recruitment was advertised, give evidence of their appointments, disclose the platform on which they are being paid and state the source of funds being used in paying them,” Itodo said.
The group also faulted Adeyemi’s claim that the agency has an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stating that “if there is such CBN account in the name of this purported agency, Nigerians must know who authorised the opening of such account, who the signatories are, and under what legal instrument the account was created.
“The CBN should also specify if any account exists in the name of the said agency and provide the public with relevant information within the ambit of the law.
CTAG, on the allegation that he allegedly paid N600 million to secure the position through a third party allegedly linked to the Chief of Staff, described the allegation as weighty and one that cannot be left in the realm of speculation.
“Adeyemi has alleged that he paid N600 million to acquire the position with N400 million allegedly transferred through a third party as upfront. Such an allegation is too serious to be taken lightly.
He should immediately provide documentary evidence of the transactions including bank transfer records, payment receipts, account details, dates of payment, identities of intermediaries involved and any communication establishing the alleged arrangement.
He must also provide incontrovertible evidence in support of his allegation that Femi Gbajabiamila demanded a percentage of the purported N24 billion take-off grant allegedly approved for the agency.
“These are criminal allegations,” the group said. They cannot be hurled in the public square without proof.”
The group emphasized that those in public offices must be made to account when there is evidence, but strongly warned against unsubstantiated allegations, blackmail and deliberate attempts to tarnish the image for pecuniary or any other ulterior motives.
“It is becoming increasingly common for some individuals and groups to weaponise false allegations and media sensationalism in a desperate bid to blackmail, distract or extort public officials,” Itodo said.
“Nigerians are not buying these antics any more. Those who specialise in the business of character assassination and blackmail should know that public is increasingly aware of their methods and will not subscribe to such schemes.
“Although no public officer is above scrutiny, allegations should be based on verifiable evidence. “The era of reckless accusations without consequences must end,” the statement said.
Therefore, CTAG called on all security agencies to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into all the allegations by Prince Adeyemi and ensure that anyone found guilty of impersonation, fraud, false information or criminal defamation is prosecuted according to the law.
“The integrity of the Presidency and other public institutions must be protected from those who seek to exploit them for personal gain or notoriety,” the statement said.