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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu not to take any action against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations arising from the controversy involving Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, stressing that decisions of such magnitude should only be based on established facts and not unverified claims.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National President, Akinteye Babatunde, the students’ organization stated that while it fully supports transparency, accountability and the eradication of corruption, every allegation must be properly investigated in accordance with the principles of justice and the rule of law.
According to the association, the controversy surrounding Adeyemi and allegations related to the Chief of Staff have given rise to wide public debate, with several groups calling for Gbajabiamila’s dismissal despite the absence of any legal pronouncement on the matter.
NANS believes that the charges are premature and urges the President to allow the authorities to complete their investigations before any administrative decisions are taken.
“The eradication of corruption must always be carried out within the bounds of justice, equality and legal processes,” said the association.
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The students body further appealed to President Tinubu to resist public pressure until all facts are revealed through legal channels.
“We respectfully urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow loyal and dedicated public servants to be sacrificed on the altar of baseless allegations before the truth is revealed,” the statement read.
NANS stressed that the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence applies to every Nigerian, regardless of status or public office, and must remain the guiding standard in dealing with allegations.
The Association also referred to the Federal Government’s position on the matter, and noted that the Presidency has publicly stated that the President’s Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) is not an agency of the current government.
The report observed that criminal charges have been filed against Adeyemi for his alleged activities, arguing that the developments reinforce the need to give investigators and the courts an opportunity to determine the facts.
“This development further reinforces the need for restraint and underscores the importance of allowing authorities to determine the facts through a lawful process,” the association said.
NANS urged Nigerians not to jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete, and stressed that security agencies and other relevant institutions must be allowed to conduct independent, comprehensive and impartial investigations.
According to the association, the allegations, supporting evidence and behavior of all parties involved must be examined objectively before drawing conclusions.
The student body also defended Gbajabiamila’s track record in public office, and described him as an experienced public servant whose contributions to democratic governance and national development should not be overshadowed by unproven allegations.
This brings back memories of his role as Speaker of the House of Representatives, particularly his involvement in engagements that contributed to resolving the protracted strike undertaken by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in 2022, leading to the reopening of state universities across the country.
NANS further stated that the Chief of Staff has consistently demonstrated support for policies and initiatives aimed at advancing education and youth development.
While reaffirming its commitment to accountability, the association warned against media trials and politically driven campaigns that could undermine the legal process.
“We support any legitimate efforts aimed at uncovering the truth, but we also reject media trials, political witch hunts, or attempts to undermine public institutions through allegations that have not gone through the legal process,” the statement added.
The association also claimed that there are concerns regarding Adeyemi’s previous involvement with a number of organisations, including some at the international level, and stated that the allegations against the Chief of Staff should not be considered as fact until an independent investigation is completed.
The statement comes amid continued public interest in the controversy surrounding Adeyemi, who allegedly presents himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The Presidency stated that the council is not a recognized body of the Federal Government and has announced criminal proceedings against Adeyemi for alleged impersonation and related offences.
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders, with some groups demanding action against the Chief of Staff, while others urging restraint pending the outcome of the investigation. NANS has now joined those calling for due process, and insists that law enforcement agencies and courts must be allowed to determine the facts before taking official action.
