The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has backed a fair and impartial investigation into allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, while rejecting calls for his removal before the conclusion of a lawful probe.
The students’ body maintained that no public official should be condemned on the basis of unproven allegations, insisting that justice, fairness and due process must guide the handling of the matter.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS said it had been closely monitoring the controversy involving the Chief of Staff and Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The association said although it remained committed to the fight against corruption and accountability in public office, such efforts must always be pursued within the framework of the rule of law.
According to the statement, the allegations against Gbajabiamila remain unproven and should not serve as the basis for demands that he be removed from office.
“We have continued to monitor and objectively evaluate the allegations made by Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi against the Chief of Staff.
“At the same time, we have observed growing calls from certain individuals and groups demanding the immediate removal of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila despite the fact that the allegations remain unproven.
“If these calls are not politically motivated or driven by vested interests, then those making them should equally respect the constitutional principle that every citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty through a transparent, credible and lawful process,” the statement read.
NANS expressed concern over what it described as attempts by individuals opposed to the Renewed Hope Agenda to pressure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into removing the Chief of Staff before the allegations have been substantiated.
The association urged the President not to act on what it described as unverified accusations until the facts surrounding the matter had been thoroughly established.
It also called on Nigerians to allow security and investigative agencies to conduct a comprehensive, independent and impartial investigation into the allegations.
“The credibility of every allegation, the evidence supporting it, and the conduct of all parties involved should be objectively examined before any conclusions are reached,” the statement added.
