The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that it questioned the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over its ongoing investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The anti-graft agency clarified that Gbajabiamila was neither arrested nor detained, stating that he voluntarily honoured an invitation from investigators.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Demola Bakare, the ICPC said the presidential aide visited its headquarters in Abuja on Monday to assist investigators in establishing how the purported council allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat for about two years despite lacking legal backing or a presidential proclamation.
According to the commission, Gbajabiamila arrived at its headquarters in the afternoon, responded to investigators’ questions and left after the session.
The ICPC described his appearance as part of its ongoing fact-finding exercise, stressing that he willingly cooperated with the investigation.
The commission added that investigations are continuing and that further updates would be provided when necessary.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, also confirmed that his client appeared before the ICPC on Monday in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
Ogunye said the Chief of Staff gave his testimony, answered all questions from investigators and returned to his official duties afterward.
The investigation follows President Tinubu’s directive to the ICPC to probe the alleged fake agency and submit its findings within 30 days.
The Federal Government has disowned the PFIPC, describing it as an unauthorised entity allegedly operated by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of falsely presenting himself as its Director-General.
The controversy escalated after Adeyemi allegedly claimed he paid ₦400 million in bribes to facilitate the establishment and operations of the purported agency, including money he alleged was paid to someone he believed to be Gbajabiamila.
The Chief of Staff has denied receiving any bribe, maintaining that he was the person who reported Adeyemi and the alleged activities of the purported agency to the police.
Investigators are examining how the alleged organisation reportedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, obtained budgetary allocations, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and recruited public servants despite lacking legal recognition.
The House of Representatives is also conducting a separate investigation into the legal status and operations of the purported council.
Meanwhile, Adeyemi is facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged operation of the fake agency. Police have charged him and two other suspects, who remain at large, with conspiracy and forgery involving official government documents.
Among the allegations is that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC. A warrant was later issued for his arrest after he repeatedly failed to appear in court, and he is currently in police custody.
In a separate civil suit, Gbajabiamila has filed a ₦15 billion defamation case against Adeyemi over the bribery allegations, seeking damages after demanding a retraction and public apology.
The allegations against Adeyemi remain before the court and have not been determined.