The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday honoured an invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC.
ICPC Spokesperson, John Odey, who confirmed the development in a chat on Monday in Abuja, explained that Gbajabiamila was invited by the commission over his alleged involvement in the establishment of the controversial agency.
He said that the chief of staff to the president, honoured the invitation and was questioned by the commission’s team of investigators.
“He was indeed at our office this afternoon. He was invited and he came, he volunteered a statement and left. We did not detain him; he was not arrested. He came on his own willingly, gave his statement and left. He was cooperating with the investigations,” he said.
“He was indeed at our office this afternoon. He was invited and he came, he volunteered a statement and left. We did not detain him; he was not arrested. He came on his own willingly, gave his statement and left. He was cooperating with the investigations,” he said
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed that the presidential aide appeared before investigators at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where he answered questions relating to the alleged activities of the controversial agency.
According to Ogunye, Gbajabiamila fully cooperated with the anti-graft agency and returned to his official duties 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 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,” the statement read.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on July 2 directed the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the PFIPC controversy following allegations surrounding the operations of the purported agency.
The President’s directive was conveyed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the ICPC was mandated to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
PFIPC became controversial after self-styled Director-General Adeniyi Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s ₦27.3 billion 2026 budget.
Adeyemi also alleged that Gbajabiamila collected the sum of ₦400 million via a proxy from him to secure his appointment as the director general of the PFIPC and was requesting ₦200 million more for presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila however in a sworn statement denied knowing Adeyemi and refuted claims of bribery, abuse of office, or interference with security agencies.
The Chief of Staff further denied allegations linking him to an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi
He further denied involvement in the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi claimed acted as an intermediary.
