A civil society organisation on the aegis of ‘Nigerians for Accountability and National Integrity ((NANI) has demanded the establishment of a transparent and independent investigative panel to examine the involvement of the Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila in the establishment, recognition, and inclusion of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
NANI is also demanding a full-scale audit and public disclosure of all documentation, approvals, and budgetary allocations relating to the said councils as well as the protection for all individuals who may come forward with relevant information or evidences.
It pointedly demanded the immediate suspension of the Chief of Staff to the President pending independent investigation and an assurance that due process will be followed without interference or institutional shielding.
These were contained in a petition addressed to the President Tinubu which was signed by Hauwa Yelwa, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NANI stating that the petition is not driven by political sentiment or personal bias, but by an urgent need to safeguard the integrity of the administration and preserve public trust in government institutions.
NANI said that its investigations and collated reports have shown that there are unresolved contradictions between official denials of knowledge by Femi Gbajabiamila regarding the councils and their apparent inclusion in official state documentation, including provisions reportedly reflected in the 2026 Appropriation Budget. (kindly check pages 50–51).
It stressed that the inconsistencies raised fundamental questions of governance, due process, and accountability in the management of public institutions and public funds.
NANI further stated that more concerning are allegations that the Chief of Staff played a direct and indirect roles in the structuring or facilitation of the entities, contrary to public statements he published distancing His office from any knowledge of their existence.
The petition stated that the matters, if substantiated, strike at the core of transparency in executive governance, thus demand immediate independent scrutiny.
In the words of NANI; “This situation is particularly troubling given prior precedents within this same administration. Nigerians will recall the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, over allegations relating to financial procedures and public fund management.
“That action demonstrated a clear standard; allegations of impropriety at high levels of government must be met with immediate institutional accountability, regardless of office or status.
“The same standard must apply consistently in this instance if public trust is to be preserved,” stated.
The petition was copied the United States Embassy, United Kingdom High Commission, Code of conduct bureau, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP),
BudgIT, Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Transparency International, Amnesty International, Human Rights, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF);
Department of State Security, Inspector General of Police,
National Intelligence Agency and Defence Intelligence Agency amongst other embassies and organisations.
NANI declared that it has FULL evidence, which indicts Gbajabiamila, stressing that they may be left with no option than to publish or make public the evidences.
It further said; “We are in receipt of the documents detailing the processing of the take off grants to the tune of, N27, 395, 510, 136. billion naira, which the Chief of Staff allegedly requested for a 48% kickback.
“This however is the rationale behind the disagreement, between the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
“Furthermore, there are additional allegations circulating from multiple independent sources suggesting a recurring pattern in which access, appointments, or official facilitation within certain government structures are allegedly influenced through unofficial or monetized channels, only for such arrangements to later be disowned when controversies arise. “It is also alleged that individuals who attempt to raise objections or report grievances in relation to such dealings are subjected to intimidation or threats.
“These allegations are allegedly ascribed to the chief of staff. These are grave allegations that, if left unaddressed, risk undermining public confidence in the integrity of this government.
“We further draw your attention to the experience of individuals such as Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who has been cited in relation to these concerns. We urge that his case, along with any other related testimonies or documentary evidence, be subjected to thorough and impartial review as part of a broader investigation. “Furthermore, our investigation reveals he is scared to speak for fear of assassination. We also note that similar patterns of high-level governance controversy are NOT unique to Nigeria. Across the African continent, major governance crises, such as South Africa’s State Capture Inquiry under former President Jacob Zuma, and Kenya’s National Youth Service (NYS) scandal investigations, have demonstrated that failure to promptly investigate credible allegations at the highest levels of government often results in deep institutional damage, erosion of public trust, and long-term reputational harm to the state,” NANI stated.
Find below the petition:
GROUP CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION AND INVESTIGATION OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT, HON. FEMI GBAJABIAMILA OVER ALLEGED N27.3B KICKBACK FRAUD.
Your Excellency, Mr. President
We write as concerned citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, deeply alarmed by emerging allegations and documented concerns surrounding certain activities within the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President. This letter is not driven by political sentiment or personal bias, but by an urgent need to safeguard the integrity of your administration and preserve public trust in government institutions.
We respectfully demand the immediate suspension of the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, pending the outcome of a full, independent, and transparent investigation into serious allegations relating to the purported establishment, recognition, and inclusion of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Our investigations and collated reports have shown that there are unresolved contradictions between official denials of knowledge by Femi Gbajabiamila regarding these councils and their apparent inclusion in official state documentation, including provisions reportedly reflected in the 2026 Appropriation Budget (kindly check pages 50–51). These inconsistencies raise fundamental questions of governance, due process, and accountability in the management of public institutions and public funds.
More concerning are allegations that the Chief of Staff played a direct and indirect roles in the structuring or facilitation of these entities, contrary to public statements he published distancing His office from any knowledge of their existence. These matters, if substantiated, strike at the core of transparency in executive governance and demand immediate independent scrutiny.
This situation is particularly troubling given prior precedents within this same administration. Nigerians will recall the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, over allegations relating to financial procedures and public fund management. That action demonstrated a clear standard; allegations of impropriety at high levels of government must be met with immediate institutional accountability, regardless of office or status. The same standard must apply consistently in this instance if public trust is to be preserved.
We wish to state that we have FULL evidence, which indicts the Chief of staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila. And we may be left with no option than to publish or make public these evidences. However, we are in receipt of the documents detailing the processing of the take off grants to the tune of, N27, 395, 510, 136. billion naira, which the chief of staff allegedly requested for a 48% kickback. This however is the rationale behind the disagreement, between the Chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Furthermore, there are additional allegations circulating from multiple independent sources suggesting a recurring pattern in which access, appointments, or official facilitation within certain government structures are allegedly influenced through unofficial or monetized channels, only for such arrangements to later be disowned when controversies arise. It is also alleged that individuals who attempt to raise objections or report grievances in relation to such dealings are subjected to intimidation or threats. These allegations are allegedly ascribed to the chief of staff. These are grave allegations that, if left unaddressed, risk undermining public confidence in the integrity of this government.
We further draw your attention to the experience of individuals such as Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who has been cited in relation to these concerns. We urge that his case, along with any other related testimonies or documentary evidence, be subjected to thorough and impartial review as part of a broader investigation. Furthermore, our investigation reveals he is scared to speak for fear of assassination.
We also note that similar patterns of high level governance controversy are NOT unique to Nigeria. Across the African continent, major governance crises, such as South Africa’s State Capture Inquiry under former President Jacob Zuma, and Kenya’s National Youth Service (NYS) scandal investigations, have demonstrated that failure to promptly investigate credible allegations at the highest levels of government often results in deep institutional damage, erosion of public trust, and long-term reputational harm to the state.
In light of the above, we respectfully but firmly request the following immediate actions:
- The suspension of the Chief of Staff to the President pending independent investigation.
- The establishment of a transparent and independent investigative panel to examine the PEAC and PFIPC matters.
- A full audit and public disclosure of all documentation, approvals, and budgetary allocations relating to the said councils.
- Protection for all individuals who may come forward with relevant information or evidences.
- Assurance that due process will be followed without interference or institutional shielding.
Your Excellency, this matter is of urgent national importance. The credibility of your administration’s anti corruption posture, as well as public confidence in the rule of law, depends on a swift, transparent, and decisive response.
We also want to use this medium to call on Clerics, traditional rulers, and the opposition parties, to weigh in on this matter. This decadence must be totally stopped. It is stated in one of the holy books (Bible) that judgment will start from within the house of God.
We trust that you will act in a manner consistent with your constitutional oath and the expectations of millions of Nigerians who continue to place hope in accountable governance.
Respectfully submitted,
Nigerians for Accountability and National Integrity
Hauwa Yelwa
PRO, NANI
CC: Code of conduct bureau,
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP),
BudgIT,
Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria),
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre);
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),
Transparency International, Amnesty,
Human Rights, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF);
Department of State Security
Inspector General of Police
National Intelligence Agency
Defence Intelligence Agency
Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps
Nigeria Immigration Service
European Union Delegation to Nigeria
African Union
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
West African Monetary Agency (WAMA)
African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF)
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Multinational Organizations
Algeria Embassy
Angola Embassy
Argentina Embassy
Australia High Commission
Brazil Embassy
Canada High Commission
China Embassy
Japan Embassy
Netherlands Embassy
Spain Embassy
United Kingdom High Commission
United States Embassy
