By Paul Joseph
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has agreed to represent Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man facing criminal charges after accusing President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding hundreds of millions of naira in exchange for a federal appointment.
Adeyemi is standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, conspiracy, impersonation and the use of forged presidential documents.
The case has drawn widespread attention following Adeyemi’s allegations that Gbajabiamila demanded N400 million upfront, an additional N200 million, and 48 per cent of a purported N27.4 billion take-off grant to facilitate his appointment as head of a federal agency.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Falana will lead Adeyemi’s legal team as the case proceeds before the court.
Adeyemi had alleged that the initial N400 million payment was delivered through an intermediary, while the outstanding N200 million was yet to be paid. He also called for an independent investigation into the claims and urged the Presidency to subject documents signed by Gbajabiamila since assuming office to forensic examination.
The Presidency has, however, dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and without basis.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the State House said checks conducted by the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Nigeria Police Force established that Adeyemi was never appointed by President Tinubu or any recognised government authority.
The Presidency further alleged that Adeyemi forged official State House documents and falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that no such government agency exists.
Despite the government’s position, Adeyemi has maintained that he is the legitimate Director-General of the PFIPC.
Court documents filed by the Federal Government listed Adeyemi as the first defendant, alongside two other suspects identified only as Femi and Anu, who are currently at large.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants conspired to produce forged presidential and State House documents for unlawful purposes.
Leave a Reply