The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday questioned Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Federal Government says does not exist.
Gbajabiamila arrived at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja at about 3:00 p.m. and was later allowed to leave after cooperating with investigators, according to a statement issued by his lawyer, Jiti Ogunye.
Chief of Staff Cooperates With Investigators
Ogunye said the Chief of Staff honoured the commission’s invitation, answered questions and provided relevant information before returning to his official duties.
The interrogation follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive on July 2, instructing the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the PFIPC controversy and submit its findings within 30 days.
How the PFIPC Controversy Began
The scandal emerged after Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, claiming it was a presidential agency established to attract foreign investment.
Federal authorities have maintained that no such agency exists under the Tinubu administration.
Investigators allege that forged documents, including a fake presidential appointment letter, were used to obtain office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, open bank accounts and secure about ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 budget.
Allegations and Denials
Adeyemi has accused Gbajabiamila of demanding financial kickbacks linked to the agency’s proposed take-off funds.
The Chief of Staff has denied the allegations, describing them as false and malicious. He has also filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi.
His legal team insists that his office alerted security agencies after discovering suspicious activities linked to the purported agency in late 2025, leading to police investigations.
Investigation Continues
The PFIPC controversy has generated widespread public debate, with some opposition figures demanding Gbajabiamila’s resignation while others have backed the President’s decision to allow the ICPC handle the investigation.
Reports also indicate that office space allegedly occupied by the fake agency has now been reassigned to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The ICPC investigation is expected to determine whether there was any internal collaboration, budget manipulation or abuse of government processes. No criminal charges have been filed against Gbajabiamila.
