The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday interrogated President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his alleged connection to the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body the Presidency has insisted does not exist.
Gbajabiamila honoured the commission’s invitation and appeared at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja at about 3:00 p.m., according to his lawyer, Jiti Ogunye.
Ogunye said the presidential aide cooperated fully with investigators, answered questions regarding the ongoing probe into the alleged fake government agency, and returned to his office after the session.
“In full cooperation with the ICPC acting as directed by the President of Nigeria, I hereby confirm that my client, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, responded to the invitation of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and appeared at about 15:00hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others,” Ogunye said in a statement.
He added that Gbajabiamila “gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”
The interrogation comes weeks after President Tinubu directed the ICPC to launch a comprehensive investigation into the PFIPC controversy.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had announced on July 2 that the President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report.
The scandal erupted after the Presidency publicly disowned the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, maintaining that no such agency exists under the Tinubu administration.
Despite the denial, the alleged convener of the council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, claimed that Gbajabiamila personally signed his appointment letter. The Chief of Staff rejected the allegation, insisting that his office never appointed Adeyemi or authorised the creation of the council.
Adeyemi later escalated the dispute by alleging during a press conference on June 26 that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million before approving his appointment. The Chief of Staff has denied the allegations.
The Nigeria Police subsequently filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi bordering on alleged forgery and impersonation linked to the operations of the PFIPC.
On July 14, police operatives arrested Adeyemi in Osun State after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant against him for failing to honour court summons.
The PFIPC controversy has generated widespread concern after reports indicated that, despite lacking any legal backing or presidential approval, the council allegedly operated as a government agency, secured an allocation in the 2026 budget, occupied office space within the Federal Secretariat, and recruited staff.
(The Whistler)