The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, over his alleged role in the emergence of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
According to Jiti Ogunye, Gbajabiamila’s counsel, the president’s chief of staff appeared at the ICPC headquarters on Monday, where he was questioned over the PFIPC controversy.
Ogunye said Gbajabiamila gave his testimony and responded to questions before returning to his duty post.
“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 15:00hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others,” Ogunye said in a statement.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”
On July 2, Tinubu directed ICPC to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the controversial PFIPC scandal.
Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said Tinubu asked the ICPC to conclude the investigation and submit a comprehensive report to him within 30 days.
In June, the presidency distanced itself from the PFIPC, insisting that it does not exist under the current administration.
Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of operating the agency, claimed the chief of staff issued his appointment letter — an allegation Gbajabiamila has denied.
In a statement, Gbajabiamila said his office did not appoint Adeyemi to any position in the organisation.
However, at a press conference on June 26, Adeyemi questioned the June 11 statement issued by Gbajabiamila in which the chief of staff said the PFIPC does not exist under the Tinubu administration.
He alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment.
The police filed criminal charges against Adeyemi over alleged forgery and impersonation in the operations of PFIPC.
On July 14, the police arrested Adeyemi in Osun state after a bench warrant was issued against him.
He was arrested the same day the federal high court in Abuja ordered his arrest after he failed to honour the court’s summons
Without a legal framework or presidential declaration, PFIPC operated like a government agency with an allocation in the 2026 budget, an office space at the federal secretariat and also recruited staff members.
