Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, and journalist Fegiro Johnson have urged Nigerians to rely on evidence rather than emotions in assessing the bribery allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Their remarks come amid an ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed Gbajabiamila received a ?400 million bribe in connection with the purported Public Fund Projects Inspection Commission (PFIPC). The Presidency has since described the commission as fictitious and lacking any legal basis.
In a video shared on social media, Daddy Freeze questioned the credibility of the allegations, referring to reports that Adeyemi admitted he never met Gbajabiamila personally and communicated only through an alleged intermediary, Babatunde Tanmola.
He argued that allegations involving such a substantial amount of money should ordinarily be backed by verifiable evidence, including bank transfer records, text messages, call logs or other documentary proof.
‘How do you accuse someone of collecting ?400 million from you when you admit you’ve never met the person?’ he asked.
He added that even routine financial transactions typically leave a trail of receipts or communication records.
Daddy Freeze stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as a defence of the Chief of Staff or an endorsement of any political figure, maintaining that public opinion should be driven by facts rather than assumptions.
He further noted that taking photographs with public officials does not amount to proof of financial dealings, urging Nigerians to allow investigators to establish the facts before drawing conclusions.
In a similar vein, journalist Fegiro Johnson called for a fact-based approach to the controversy, warning that public sentiment should not replace credible evidence.
Writing on X, Johnson said although many Nigerians may hold critical views of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the administration of President Bola Tinubu, such opinions should not influence objective assessment of the allegations.
He questioned how an alleged ?400 million payment could have been made without any receipts, transfer records, screenshots, chat messages or other documentary evidence to support the claim.
Johnson also alleged that the appointment letter at the centre of the controversy neither carried Gbajabiamila’s signature nor originated from his office.
The comments by both men have generated fresh debate on social media, with supporters and critics of the Chief of Staff divided over whether the allegations have been sufficiently substantiated.
Gbajabiamila has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting that he never met Adeyemi, never authorised anyone to receive money on his behalf, and had no knowledge of the alleged intermediary or any related transactions. The ICPC is yet to conclude its investigation into the matter.