The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as part of its ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency says does not exist.
Gbajabiamila appeared before investigators on Monday following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for the anti-corruption agency to conduct a thorough probe into the PFIPC controversy and submit its findings within 30 days.
His lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed that the President’s Chief of Staff honoured the invitation and fully cooperated with investigators.
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“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 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others,” Ogunye said.
He added that Gbajabiamila gave his testimony, answered questions from investigators and returned to his official duties after the session.
The controversy stems from allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who described himself as the Director General of the PFIPC.
Adeyemi claimed he paid ₦400 million through a now deceased associate, Babatunde Tanimola, to secure his appointment as head of the agency.
He further alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take off grant, insisting that the Chief of Staff should be questioned over the transaction and the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death.
Gbajabiamila has strongly denied all the allegations, maintaining that neither he nor his office had any involvement in the creation or operation of the PFIPC.
He has also filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi over the claims.
Following the conflicting claims, President Tinubu directed the ICPC on July 2 to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the alleged agency and submit a report within 30 days.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the President wanted a thorough investigation into the matter.
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The PFIPC scandal erupted after it emerged that the organisation allegedly operated as a government agency despite lacking any legal backing or formal presidential approval.
The agency reportedly occupied office space at the Federal Secretariat, recruited staff and even appeared in the 2026 Federal Budget with a proposed allocation.
The Presidency has since distanced itself from the organisation, insisting that the PFIPC was never established under the Tinubu administration.
Meanwhile, Adeyemi is facing criminal charges filed by the Nigeria Police Force over alleged forgery, impersonation and other offences linked to the operation of the PFIPC.
He was arrested in Osun State on July 14, the same day a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear before the court.
The ICPC investigation is expected to determine how the alleged agency operated, who facilitated its activities and how it reportedly found its way into the Federal Government’s budget despite the Presidency’s insistence that it never existed.
