Contrary to
reports, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi, remains in
office to carry out his official functions, the presidency said on Friday.
A statement
by the State House Deputy Director of Media, Abiodun Oladunjoye, said Mr. Arabi
did not commit any offences in the course of his duty and could not have been
suspended.
“Mr Arabi is
at his desk dutifully attending to important state matters and is not under any
probe,” the presidency said.
Claims that
Mr. Arabi had been dismissed by President Buhari for alleged misconduct
circulated on the Internet this week.
Allegations
of corruption were also levelled against Mr. Arabi, including how he allegedly
connived with Mr. Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, to perpetrate financial
crimes.
But the
State House statement quoted Mr. Arabi as stating that he remained in office
while urging Nigerians to disregard the reports.
“I remain
committed and dedicated to the professional discharge of my duties and I refuse
to be distracted by adversarial forces,” Mr Arabi said.
The
Permanent Secretary and other Muslim faithful joined Mr. Buhari for Juma’at
prayer at the State House mosque, the presidency said.
The
disclaimer came a week after the presidency refuted reports that Mr. Kyari and
the Director-General of the State Security Service, Lawal Daura, had resigned.
.
A year ago,
the administration denied reports about purported dismissal of the Minister of
State for Petroleum, Ibeh Kachikwu.
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