The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his role in the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal.
According to Jiti Ogunye, counsel to Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff appeared at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, July 20, where he was questioned as part of the commission’s ongoing investigation into the activities of the controversial body.
Ogunye said Gbajabiamila fully cooperated with investigators, gave his testimony, responded to questions and subsequently returned to his official duties.
“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, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the PFIPC fake agency, among others,” Ogunye said.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”
The interrogation comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the PFIPC controversy.
On Thursday, July 2, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced that the president had instructed the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
The controversy began in June after the Presidency publicly distanced itself from the PFIPC insisting that no such agency exists under the current administration.
The denial followed claims by Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of operating the organisation, that Gbajabiamila personally issued his appointment letter.
Gbajabiamila denied the allegation, maintaining that neither his office nor the Presidency appointed Adeyemi to any position in the organisation.
However, during a press conference on Friday, June 26, Adeyemi challenged the denial and claimed that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and later demanded an additional N200 million to facilitate his appointment.
Following the allegations, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) filed criminal charges against Adeyemi over forgery, impersonation and the unlawful operation of the PFIPC.
On Tuesday, July 14, Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant against him for failing to honour its summons.
Investigators are also examining how the PFIPC operated as though it were a legitimate government agency despite lacking any legal framework or presidential approval.
The organisation maintained office space at the Federal Secretariat, recruited staff and even secured a budgetary allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act before the Presidency disowned it.
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