NANS to Tinubu: Don’t Sack Gbajabiamila Over Unproven PFIPC Allegations

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to remove his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations arising from the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that no public official should be sanctioned before the completion of a credible and impartial investigation.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, described calls for Gbajabiamila’s dismissal as premature, urging Nigerians to uphold the constitutional principles of due process, fair hearing, and the presumption of innocence.

The student body said it had closely followed recent developments involving Gbajabiamila and Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, stressing that while corruption allegations must always be taken seriously, they should be investigated through lawful institutions rather than adjudicated in the court of public opinion.

According to NANS, every Nigerian is entitled to the constitutional protection that presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

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“We respectfully urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a loyal and dedicated public servant to be sacrificed on the altar of unsubstantiated accusations before the truth is established,” the association stated.

The appeal comes amid growing public debate over the PFIPC, an organisation that the Presidency has publicly stated is not a recognised agency under the Tinubu administration.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga recently maintained that the Federal Government does not recognise the PFIPC and disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force had filed an eight-count criminal charge against Adeyemi over allegations including forgery, impersonation, and related offences.

Despite the Presidency’s position, the controversy intensified after documents surfaced showing that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved a waiver in August 2025 for the recruitment of 300 personnel into the PFIPC despite an existing embargo on public service recruitment. The council was also reportedly allocated about N1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act, prompting renewed scrutiny over its legal status and operations.

Adeyemi has consistently rejected the Presidency’s position, insisting that the PFIPC is a legitimate government initiative. He has also publicly alleged that the dispute stemmed from his refusal to surrender a portion of the council’s take-off grant and claimed he paid money to secure his appointment. Those allegations have not been proven in court, and no judicial findings have been made against the Chief of Staff.

Against this backdrop, NANS urged Nigerians to avoid reaching conclusions before ongoing investigations and court proceedings are concluded.

Afeez said the association supports the fight against corruption but believes it must always be conducted within the framework of justice, equity, fairness, and the rule of law.

He called on the appropriate law enforcement and investigative agencies to conduct a transparent, independent, and comprehensive investigation into all claims surrounding the controversy.

According to him, every allegation, supporting document, and the conduct of all parties involved should be objectively scrutinised before any administrative or political action is taken.

The student body also defended Gbajabiamila’s record in public service, describing the former Speaker of the House of Representatives as a leader who has consistently demonstrated commitment to democratic governance, education, and youth development.

NANS recalled his role during the 2022 Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, noting that he facilitated dialogue between the Federal Government and the union at a critical period when public universities were shut down for several months.

The association argued that Gbajabiamila had maintained a longstanding relationship with Nigerian students through legislative interventions and policy engagements aimed at improving the education sector.

While reaffirming its support for accountability, transparency, and responsible governance, NANS insisted that allegations alone should never replace established judicial processes.

The association warned against what it described as trial by media, political witch-hunts, and attempts to weaken public institutions through claims that have not been subjected to judicial scrutiny.

It further noted that concerns had also been raised regarding Adeyemi’s previous dealings with some organisations, arguing that his allegations against the Chief of Staff should not be accepted as established facts until investigations and court proceedings are concluded.

NANS maintained that respecting the principles of due process is essential to preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring that justice is administered fairly.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the association urged all stakeholders to allow law enforcement agencies and the courts to determine the facts, rather than relying on speculation or public pressure.

NANS to Tinubu: Don’t Sack Gbajabiamila Over Unproven PFIPC Allegations

FG Clears N39.6bn Pension Arrears for Former NITEL, PHCN, Bank Workers

The Federal Government has paid more than N39.6 billion in outstanding pension liabilities to thousands of retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), ending years of unpaid arrears owed to former employees of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTEL), Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Assurance Bank, NICON, and the People’s Bank of Nigeria.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) announced the payment on Friday, describing it as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to clear inherited pension liabilities and improve the welfare of retired public servants.

According to PTAD, the disbursement fulfils President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to resolve longstanding pension obligations that had remained unpaid for several years.

A breakdown of the payments shows that N25.05 billion was released to settle 35 months of pension arrears owed to 9,675 eligible retirees of the defunct NITEL and MTEL.

The Federal Government also paid N9.48 billion, representing the first 50 per cent of the Back End Computation (BEC) arrears due to 3,959 eligible PHCN pensioners.

In addition, N5.09 billion was disbursed as the outstanding balance of the 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent pension increment arrears owed to 11,180 eligible pensioners from Assurance Bank, NICON, NITEL, and the People’s Bank of Nigeria.

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In total, the latest payment benefits more than 24,800 retirees, many of whom had waited years for the settlement of their outstanding entitlements.

PTAD said the payment represents another significant step towards restoring confidence in Nigeria’s pension administration system, particularly for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, which predates the country’s contributory pension system.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope Odunaiya, praised President Tinubu for approving the release of funds to offset the inherited liabilities.

She described the payment as evidence of the administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of retired public servants.

“These landmark achievements mark yet another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners. It is a clear demonstration of the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda places priority on social protection, inclusive governance and the well-being of senior citizens,” she said.

Odunaiya noted that the settlement had resolved some of the oldest outstanding pension liabilities inherited by the current administration.

“Under the President’s leadership, the Directorate has successfully resolved all longstanding inherited pension liabilities, bringing lasting relief to thousands of Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners.”

She explained that the payment followed presidential approval granted in August 2025, while the required funds were subsequently provided in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

According to her, clearing the arrears underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining pension reforms and ensuring retirees receive their entitlements without unnecessary delays.

“The successful liquidation of these liabilities underscores the Federal Government’s resolve to sustain pension reforms and ensure that Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners receive their rightful entitlements in a timely manner, consistent with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Odunaiya also thanked the affected retirees for their patience throughout the period the liabilities remained unpaid.

She reaffirmed PTAD’s commitment to transparent, efficient and pensioner-focused service delivery while assuring beneficiaries that the agency would continue working to improve pension administration.

The Defined Benefit Scheme covers federal retirees who left public service before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) under the Pension Reform Act 2004. Established in 2013, PTAD is responsible for administering pensions under the old scheme and settling outstanding obligations inherited from defunct government agencies and privatised public enterprises.

For years, pensioners’ associations have repeatedly appealed to the Federal Government to clear accumulated arrears and implement approved pension increases, arguing that inflation and the rising cost of living had significantly eroded retirees’ purchasing power.

Labour and pension advocacy groups have welcomed the latest payment as a positive step towards rebuilding confidence in the country’s pension system. However, they urged the government to ensure that future pension payments, arrears and approved increments are settled promptly to prevent another backlog.

Analysts also believe the clearance of the inherited liabilities will strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s pension reforms, improve retirees’ welfare and demonstrate the government’s commitment to honouring its obligations to former public servants.

The latest disbursement forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to modernise pension administration, eliminate legacy debts and ensure timely payment of benefits to retirees across the country.

FG Clears N39.6bn Pension Arrears for Former NITEL, PHCN, Bank Workers

Emefiele Trial: Witness Tells Court $6.23m CBN Election Observer Fund Was ‘Pure Theft’

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, took a dramatic turn on Thursday as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja that the controversial release of $6.23 million for a purported foreign election observer mission was fraudulent and amounted to “pure theft.”

The allegation was made by the 14th prosecution witness, Commissioner of Police Okpoziakpo Eloho of the Nigeria Police Force Fraud Unit, during proceedings before Justice Hamza Muazu in the ongoing case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former CBN governor.

According to the EFCC, the witness testified that the entire $6.23 million was released based on Emefiele’s approval without sufficient documentation to justify the expenditure.

“The entire money was released. We saw the approval of the governor,” Eloho told the court.

He further alleged that investigators found no legitimate basis for the transaction.

“It was pure theft. It was stolen, otherwise obtained under false pretence,” the police commissioner testified.

While identifying Exhibit PD5, which purportedly contained a presidential directive authorising a foreign election observer mission, the witness insisted that investigators concluded the document was fraudulent.

“Our finding with regards to PD5 is that it is all fraud,” he said.

The prosecution witness also disclosed that investigators recovered part of the allegedly diverted funds.

Although he could not recall the exact amount, Eloho said approximately $800,000 had been recovered during the course of the investigation.

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“I can’t remember the figure but it was about Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars,” he told the court.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), the witness acknowledged that Emefiele, as the CBN governor at the time, had authority over the bank’s funds.

However, he maintained that the disbursement did not comply with the Central Bank’s established approval procedures.

According to Eloho, the approval moved directly from the governor to the Director of Banking Services without following the normal administrative chain through a deputy governor.

“This document is from the governor to the Director Banking Services. Protocol was not followed. I presume that the procedure would have been for the document to follow through the deputy governor,” he testified.

The witness also identified Jibril Abubakar as the individual who allegedly received the $6.23 million.

Presenting Exhibit PD4, Eloho told the court that although Abubakar presented a staff identity card linked to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), investigators established that the identification number did not belong to him.

“The staff ID card number does not belong to him. He is not a staff of the SGF. That is what the investigation revealed,” the witness said.

Eloho further informed the court that investigators interviewed former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, during the investigation.

According to him, although one of the documents tendered by the prosecution purportedly originated from the SGF’s office, Mustapha denied that the signature appearing on the document belonged to him.

The EFCC alleges that the $6.23 million was released in February 2023 for the payment of foreign election observers ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general election based on forged presidential approval.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Emefiele on charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy, and obtaining by false pretence, arguing that the election observer mission never existed and that the documents used to obtain the funds were fabricated.

Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and continues to deny any wrongdoing.

The former CBN governor is also facing separate criminal cases before the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court involving allegations of procurement fraud, abuse of office, unlawful possession of firearms and corruption. He has equally denied those allegations.

Following Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until Friday, July 3, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

The case remains one of Nigeria’s most closely watched corruption trials, with the prosecution seeking to establish that the controversial $6.23 million CBN disbursement was fraudulently authorised, while the defence maintains that Emefiele acted within the powers vested in him as governor of the apex bank.

Emefiele Trial: Witness Tells Court $6.23m CBN Election Observer Fund Was ‘Pure Theft’