Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as part of its investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
Gbajabiamila appeared at the commission’s office at about 3 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, following an invitation from the anti-corruption agency.
His lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed the development in a statement, saying the presidential aide cooperated fully with investigators, provided his testimony and answered questions relating to the ongoing investigation.
“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 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.
He added that Gbajabiamila left the commission after the interview and returned to his official duties.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post,” the lawyer stated.
President Bola Tinubu had directed the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the purported PFIPC and the circumstances that enabled it to acquire the appearance of a legitimate federal government agency.
The President gave the commission 30 days to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report.
The investigation followed revelations that Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the council, allegedly operated the body despite its not being established by any law, presidential proclamation or other valid government instrument.
The purported agency allegedly obtained office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, appeared in official government documents, secured budgetary provisions, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions, and had public servants posted to work with it.
The developments generated questions over how a body described by the Presidency as fictitious was able to pass through multiple layers of the federal bureaucracy and obtain the appearance of official legitimacy.
The controversy deepened after Adeyemi alleged that he paid ₦400 million to a person he believed to be Gbajabiamila in exchange for an appointment letter naming him as head of the council.
Gbajabiamila has denied receiving any money from Adeyemi or facilitating his purported appointment.
He maintained that he neither knew nor dealt with Adeyemi and said his signature, official seals and other government documents were allegedly forged to create the impression that the council and its leadership had presidential approval.
The Chief of Staff was also said to have reported Adeyemi and the activities of the purported agency to the police after learning that his name and office were allegedly being used to support the scheme.
Gbajabiamila has since filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
In the suit, he is seeking ₦10 billion as general damages and ₦5 billion as aggravated damages over statements allegedly linking him to bribery and the creation of the disputed agency.
He also asked the court to compel Adeyemi to retract the allegations and publish an apology in national newspapers.
Adeyemi and two other persons are separately facing criminal charges filed by the police over allegations of forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
Among the documents expected to feature in the criminal proceedings are the alleged presidential appointment letter, government correspondence, requests for bank accounts, applications for office accommodation and Gbajabiamila’s earlier petition to the police.
The ICPC investigation is expected to go beyond Adeyemi’s conduct and examine the actions of public officials whose approvals or omissions may have enabled the purported agency to secure offices, financial accounts, budgetary recognition and personnel.
Gbajabiamila’s appearance before the commission forms part of that wider inquiry. No finding of wrongdoing has been made against him, while the bribery allegation remains unproven.
