After different speculations and permutations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, announced Femi Gbajabiamila, outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, as chief of staff.
The announcement was made during Tinubu’s meeting with members of the progressive governors forum at the State House, Abuja.
BattaFiles understands that Gbajabiamila has for long been a political godson to Tinubu since he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 to represent the Surulere I constituency. Tinubu at the time served as governor in Lagos.
He has since won six consecutive elections, having served as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives in the 7th National Assembly, Majority Leader of House of Representatives in the 8th National Assembly, and Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th National Assembly.
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From mid-June, Gbajabiamila would be responsible for coordinating the president’s day-to-day activities as Nigerians look forward to other cabinet members to be appointed in coming days.
Found guilty of theft
Before returning to the country, Gbajabiamila was a lawyer in the United States of America, where he faced disciplinary action for stealing from clients. Though he denied the allegations, court documents proved otherwise.
According to documents, he was prosecuted before the Supreme Court of Georgia in February 2007. Gbajabiamila was found guilty of violating the rules of the bar of Georgia state for withholding $25,000 his client received as damages claims.
The judgment reads: “This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the Respondent Femi Gbaja’s Petition for Voluntary Discipline which was filed under Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2) before a formal complaint was issued. In his petition, Gbaja admits violating Rule 1 .l 5 ( l) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct set forth in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). Although a violation of this rule is punishable by disbarment. Gbaja requests the imposition of a 24-month suspension. He agrees, however, to accepting a suspension of up to 36 months. The State Bar has no objection to the acceptance of Gbaja’s petition so long as the suspension is no less than 36 months in duration.
“Gbaja, who has only been a member of the Bar since 2001, admits that he accepted payment of $25,000 as settlement of a client’s personal injury claims, deposited those funds in his attorney trust account in January 2003, failed to promptly disburse those funds to his client withdrew those funds for his own use, closed his practice and moved out of the country. Although Gbaja ultimately paid the $25,000 to his client in 2006, he admits his conduct violated Rule HS (1) and that as a result, he is subject to disbarment.
“In mitigation of his actions, Gbaja asserts that he has cooperated fully with disciplinary authorities, repaid his client, and is extremely remorseful for the consequences of his conduct. Under these circumstances, we conclude that a 36-month suspension is an appropriate sanction. Accordingly, Gbaja hereby is suspended for a period of 36 months. He is reminded of his duties under Bar Rule 4-219(c),” the then judgment read.
