The Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Governance has called for the immediate arrest and investigation of one Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi over alleged impersonation, false claims and attempts to undermine public institutions.
The group made the call in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Executive Director, Sunday Itodo, describing Adeyemi’s actions as “a dangerous pattern of impersonation, misinformation, cocktail of blackmail and institutional sabotage.”
CTAG specifically urged the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other anti-corruption agencies to invite Adeyemi for questioning over claims that he heads a non-existent government agency.
The group’s demand follows a disclaimer by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, which denied the existence of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, the agency Adeyemi allegedly claimed to lead.
Reacting, CTAG said, “Prince Adeyemi has publicly claimed to be the head of an agency which the Presidency has unequivocally denied knowledge of. This is a grave matter touching on national security, public trust and the integrity of government institutions.”
It added, “The DSS and the Police must immediately invite and investigate him.”
The group challenged Adeyemi to publish his appointment letter without delay if his claims were legitimate.
“If indeed such an agency exists and Prince Adeyemi was legitimately appointed to head it, he should publish his appointment letter and disclose the authority under which the appointment was made,” the statement read.
CTAG also questioned Adeyemi’s claim that over 300 staff members had been approved for the take-off of the agency by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“Nigerians deserve to know the identities of these purported staff members. He should publish the list, state where and when recruitment was conducted, and provide evidence of their appointments,” Itodo said.
The group further demanded details of the alleged payroll structure and funding source for the said workers.
On claims that the agency operates a Central Bank of Nigeria account, CTAG asked the apex bank to clarify the situation.
“If there is indeed a CBN account in the name of this purported agency, Nigerians must know who authorised its opening, the signatories, and the legal instrument backing it,” the group stated.
CTAG also described as weighty Adeyemi’s allegation that he paid N600m to secure the position through a third party allegedly linked to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
“Adeyemi must provide documentary evidence of the transactions, including bank transfer records, payment receipts, identities of intermediaries and all communications establishing the alleged arrangement,” the group said.
It added that the claim that Gbajabiamila demanded a percentage of a purported N24bn take-off grant must also be backed with proof.
“These are criminal allegations. They cannot simply be thrown into the public space without evidence,” Itodo stressed.
While noting that public officials must be held accountable where evidence exists, CTAG warned against the growing trend of false allegations and blackmail.
“It is becoming increasingly common for individuals to weaponise false claims to blackmail or extort public officials. Nigerians are no longer deceived by such antics,” the statement added.
The group, however, urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.
“The integrity of the Presidency and public institutions must be protected from individuals seeking to exploit them for personal gain or notoriety,” it added.