A coalition of civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Civil Society Alliance Against Corruption and Abuse of Office (CSAACAO) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove Surveyor Akande Moruf Adetunji from public office over what it described as grave allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and violations of public service ethics.
In an open letter jointly signed on Thursday in Abuja by the National Coordinator of CSAACAO, Comrade Gbenga Akande, and the National Secretary, Comrade Ishaya Abdullaziz, on behalf of 20 other civil society organisations, the coalition urged the President to order a comprehensive investigation into the allegations while emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the public service.
According to the coalition, the allegations against the public officer include alleged professional misconduct, abuse of official authority, intimidation, misuse of office for personal interests, sponsorship of defamatory publications against another public officer, unethical conduct, media manipulation, and alleged administrative and financial irregularities during his tenure.
The group also alleged that Surveyor Adetunji is involved in an ongoing court matter and claimed that a bench warrant was reportedly issued for his arrest. It argued that, if confirmed, such circumstances would be incompatible with continued service in public office.
CSAACAO further alleged that the official, despite reportedly reaching the statutory retirement age, has refused to process his retirement by allegedly failing to submit the necessary retirement documents and withholding official records.
The coalition claimed that these actions, if established, could amount to violations of the Public Service Rules, the Pension Reform Act, and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
The coalition warned that allowing a public officer facing such allegations to remain in office could undermine public confidence in the administration’s anti-corruption agenda, weaken trust in the civil service disciplinary system, and create the impression that misconduct is tolerated.
While acknowledging the constitutional presumption of innocence, the coalition argued that public officers occupying sensitive positions should step aside whenever credible allegations arise pending the outcome of investigations.
Among its demands, CSAACAO urged President Tinubu to immediately remove Surveyor Adetunji from office in the public interest, direct a full-scale investigation into all allegations against him, mandate the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the reported court matter and any related issues, and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law.
The letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and the ICPC.
As of the time of filing this report, Surveyor Akande Moruf Adetunji had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the open letter, and the claims had not been independently verified. No official statement had also been issued by the Presidency regarding the petition.
