Human rights lawyer Chief Femi Falana on Friday said that the recent controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has exposed the country to unprecedented ridicule.
He urged the government to come out clearly on the matter, saying it must appreciate the fact that they are dealing with civilized people.
Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria, stated this while featuring on a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5FM, Ilese Ijebu, that the federal government must provide a full and transparent account of the matter, insisting that the presidency’s explanation has failed to answer critical questions raised by Nigerians.
He said the government owed Nigerians a more comprehensive explanation, arguing that the issues raised by the alleged existence and operations of the council could not be dismissed with a brief official statement.
The legal advocate queried how an agency allegedly not created by law could have found its way into the Nigeria’s governance structure, reportedly promoted by Adeniyi Adeyemi, saying the circumstances surrounding the matter raise serious concerns about the country’s institutional integrity.
He wondered why the alleged agency operated from the Federal Secretariat, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had civil servants deployed to it, and found its way into the national budget, despite lacking any known legal foundation.
He argued that the National Assembly also has questions to answer over the alleged inclusion of the council in the national appropriation process.
“Unfortunately, I think there is more to this matter than meets the eye. Nigerians have not been given the full facts. I’ve read Mr. Bayo Onanuga speaking for the presidency. To say it very mildly, the country has been exposed to unprecedented ridicule. The government must appreciate that they are dealing with civilized people, so the government must come out more clearly on this matter.
“How did an agency that is not created by law find its way into the Appropriation Act of Nigeria? How did that body get an office in the Federal Secretariat? How did that body successfully open accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria? How did the head of service post about 300 staff to that office?”
According to Falana, the matter extends beyond the individual facing prosecution and requires explanations from several government institutions involved in budgeting, administration, and financial management.
“You cannot have an agency that is not created by law in the budget of a country. You cannot put an agency that is unknown to law in the appropriation act. The National Assembly members will have to explain who authorised them to insert the body into the budget,” he added.
Falana maintained that under Section 81 of the Constitution, appropriation bills originate from the executive before being transmitted to the legislature, making it necessary for the government to explain how the alleged agency appeared in the budget.
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He described the official explanation issued by the presidency as inadequate, saying it left “gaping holes” that only a thorough investigation could address.
“If this is a con man that can con the presidency into issuing a letter of appointment, con the central bank into opening accounts, and con the National Assembly into inserting the agency into the budget, I think the government is kidding.”
The senior lawyer also called for an independent investigation into the alleged role of the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying he should temporarily step aside to allow the investigation to proceed without controversy.
“The government has a duty to ask Mr. Gbajabiamila to step aside to allow for a full investigation in the interest of the country and even in his own interest.”
While acknowledging that criminal proceedings against the alleged promoter of the council should continue, Falana argued that the courts would not determine the wider institutional issues surrounding the alleged recognition and operations of the agency.
“The law must be allowed to take its course. But there are issues that are not going to come up in court. The court is not going to tell us who opened an account in the Central Bank. The court is not going to tell us who inserted the agency into the budget or why it was signed by the president.
He therefore urged the federal government to reopen its inquiry and involve all relevant agencies and officials in what he described as a transparent investigation.
“The government will have to revisit the matter, go back to the drawing board, and issue another statement that will be acceptable to Nigerians by assuring them that there is no cover-up in this matter.”
Falana added that restoring public confidence would require openness and accountability, warning that failure to comprehensively address the controversy could further undermine trust in public institutions.
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