PFIPC Scandal: Gbajabiamila Honours ICPC Invitation

• Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appears before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the ongoing investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

• Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, says the Chief of Staff honoured the commission’s invitation, answered investigators’ questions and returned to his official duties after giving evidence.

• The Presidency has disowned the PFIPC, insisting it was never established by any law, presidential directive or executive instrument, and describes it as a fake organisation.

• President Bola Tinubu orders the ICPC to conclude its investigation within 30 days following the arrest of the council’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, over alleged forgery and impersonation.

July 21, () — The investigation into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) reached a new level on Monday, as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to answer questions over the activities of the purported federal agency.

Gbajabiamila’s appearance followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the anti-corruption commission to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged council after the Presidency disowned it, declaring that it had no legal, executive or constitutional basis.

The Chief of Staff’s appearance was confirmed by his Principal Counsel, Jiti Ogunye, who said his client cooperated fully with investigators in line with the President’s directive.

“In full cooperation with the ICPC and 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 15:00 hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others.”

Ogunye said the Chief of Staff answered questions from investigators before returning to his official duties.

“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”

Although the ICPC has not disclosed details of the interrogation, Gbajabiamila’s appearance represents one of the most significant developments since the investigation commenced.

President Tinubu had directed the ICPC to carry out a far-reaching investigation after the Presidency declared that the PFIPC was never established by any Act of the National Assembly, Executive Order, presidential directive or any other lawful instrument of government.

The directive, announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, mandates investigators to examine every aspect of the purported council’s activities and identify all individuals or institutions connected with its operations.

Specifically, the President ordered the commission to investigate forged appointment letters and other official government documents allegedly used by the council’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, to present himself as a presidential appointee.

The ICPC was also directed to investigate allegations that Adeyemi used the purported appointment to seek official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, and to open multiple bank accounts in the names of government agencies using allegedly forged government documents.

Investigators are further expected to establish how the fictitious organisation acquired the appearance of legitimacy and identify weaknesses within government institutions that may have enabled its operations.

Beyond investigating the alleged forged documents, the ICPC has been mandated to examine the opening and operation of bank accounts linked to the council, trace the source and movement of funds and determine whether any public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals facilitated the alleged scheme.

The anti-graft agency is also expected to recommend measures to strengthen institutional safeguards against forgery, impersonation and abuse of official government identity.

President Tinubu directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to cooperate fully with investigators by providing all relevant records and information required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.

Underscoring the seriousness of the matter, the President declared:

“The integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service. All persons found culpable are to be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.”

The investigation follows weeks of controversy after reports alleged that the PFIPC operated from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, maintained accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, engaged diplomatic missions and appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a reported allocation of N1.3 billion, despite having no legal or executive foundation.

Presidency Insists Documents Were Forged

The Presidency has repeatedly denied any connection between Gbajabiamila and the activities of the alleged council, insisting that forensic analysis conducted by the Nigeria Police Force established that the Chief of Staff’s signature on the disputed appointment letter was forged.

According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, investigators also concluded that the appointment letter and other official documents allegedly used by the organisation were fake, adding that criminal proceedings have already commenced at the Federal High Court against those implicated.

With the ICPC investigation gathering momentum and the House of Representatives conducting its own inquiry, attention has shifted to determining how the fictitious council allegedly projected itself as an official presidential body and gained access to government facilities and institutions.