The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has urged the Federal Government to constitute an independent panel to investigate allegations of bribery and abuse of office involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, calling on him to temporarily step aside to ensure a credible probe.
The rights group said the request was not an indication of guilt but a necessary step to guarantee transparency and public confidence in the investigation.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National President, Yinka Folarin, and National Secretary, Idris Afees, the CDHR said the allegations surrounding the appointment of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council were too weighty to be ignored.
Matthew had claimed he was legitimately appointed through a letter allegedly issued by the Chief of Staff and accused Gbajabiamila of demanding N27.4 billion and receiving N400 million through intermediaries to facilitate the appointment.
The Federal Government has, however, accused Matthew of forgery, impersonation, fraudulent operation of bank accounts and misrepresentation.
According to the CDHR, the conflicting claims raise serious questions that require an impartial investigation by independent anti-graft and security agencies.
The organisation maintained that allowing Gbajabiamila to step aside during the investigation would eliminate any perception of interference, preserve the integrity of the process and reassure Nigerians that public officials are accountable under the law.
It stressed that corruption, bribery, abuse of office, forgery and impersonation undermine public institutions and should not be tolerated regardless of the status of those involved.
“The allegations on both sides are grave,” the group said, adding that if either party’s claims are substantiated, it would represent a major assault on the credibility of public institutions.
The CDHR called on the Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Police Force to jointly undertake what it described as a transparent, coordinated and independent investigation into all allegations arising from the controversy.
It argued that the Presidency should not be left to investigate one of its top officials, insisting that justice must be seen to be done.
The organisation also endorsed the position of its Board of Trustees Chairman, Femi Falana, who has called for all individuals connected with the matter to be investigated without fear, favour or political influence.
Beyond the bribery allegations, the CDHR urged security agencies to investigate reports that the purported Presidential Economic Advisory Council allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat, engaged with government institutions and appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite being described by authorities as a non-existent entity.
It said the reported inclusion of the body in the national budget, if confirmed, would expose significant weaknesses in Nigeria’s budgeting and financial management systems.
The group therefore called on the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria to explain how the council allegedly obtained budgetary allocations, administrative recognition and access to Treasury Single Account processes.
The CDHR added that if investigations establish the allegations of forgery, impersonation and fraud against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, he should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
It also insisted that any public official found culpable after the investigation should face the full weight of the law, irrespective of office, political affiliation or influence.