A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju from the Presidential Committee set up to investigate the death of illegal miners in Niger State.
The demand was made in a statement signed by Comrade Ogunleye Gbolabo, National Coordinator of the Solid Hands Empowerment Initiative for the Development of Rural Areas, who spoke on behalf of the coalition.
Gbolabo said the group is worried about Adeyanju’s behaviour since his appointment, noting that the task requires integrity, neutrality, maturity and a high level of professionalism.
He recalled that the panel was given a two-week deadline to carry out a thorough probe and report back to the President.
According to him, members of such a sensitive presidential committee are expected to show restraint, keep information confidential, and allow the chairman to handle official communications while the investigation lasts.
The coalition accused Adeyanju of granting media interviews and making public statements on matters connected to the probe.
It also alleged that he has been taking sides and trying to preempt the outcome of the investigation before it is concluded.
Gbolabo argued that such actions could bias the process, mislead the public and erode trust in the committee’s final report.
The CSOs added that public comments from a sitting member of the panel could raise questions of partiality and give affected parties a reason to discredit or reject the findings.
They also said it could lead to internal rifts within the committee and weaken the chairman’s leadership.
He maintained that a presidential investigation demands teamwork, discretion and discipline, and that any act seen as self-promotion could damage the credibility of the exercise.
The coalition therefore urged President Tinubu to withdraw Adeyanju from the panel in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure its report is accepted by all parties.
The groups said they are looking forward to the committee’s report and called on all members to stay neutral, professional and focused on uncovering the truth without bias.
They warned, however, that if the credibility of the panel is compromised, civil society groups nationwide will not accept its report.
