Just in: ICPC grills Gbajabiamila over alleged role in PFIPC investigation

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday questioned the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as part of its ongoing investigation into the activities surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed that his client honoured the commission’s invitation and cooperated fully with investigators.

In a statement, Ogunye said the Chief of Staff appeared before the anti-corruption agency at its headquarters in Abuja at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday, where he provided information and answered questions relating to the investigation.

He stated that Gbajabiamila’s appearance before the commission was in compliance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu that all relevant persons should cooperate fully with 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 (ICPC) and appeared at about 15:00hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ agency, among others,” Ogunye said.

He added that after giving his testimony and responding to questions from investigators, the Chief of Staff returned to his official duties.

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

The interrogation comes weeks after President Tinubu directed the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Announcing the directive on July 2, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu instructed the anti-corruption commission to carry out a thorough probe and submit its findings within 30 days.

The Presidency had explained that the investigation was intended to establish the facts surrounding the council and identify any breaches of the law or administrative procedures.

The PFIPC has come under increasing scrutiny following allegations that it operated without a valid legal foundation.

The controversy has also attracted the attention of the House of Representatives, where an ad hoc committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the council’s establishment and operations.

During the committee’s hearing on Monday, officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) distanced their institutions from the creation of the council.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, told lawmakers that her office has no constitutional responsibility for establishing government agencies.

She disclosed that although the council sought approval for its organisational structure in August 2025, the request was initially rejected because the required documentation was not submitted. She also stated that the office later discovered irregularities in the legal instrument presented by the council as its enabling authority.

Similarly, a Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Hamisu Abdullahi, who represented the CBN Governor, told the committee that the apex bank only opens accounts for government agencies upon receiving formal authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

According to him, the CBN opened two domiciliary accounts for the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council following a mandate from the Accountant-General’s Office, but the accounts were never activated because authorised signatories were not provided.

He further informed lawmakers that the accounts had remained dormant with zero balances and recorded no financial transactions since they were opened.

The House committee subsequently directed the CBN to provide detailed records relating to the accounts as part of its investigation into the council’s activities.

The ICPC has not released details of its investigation or indicated whether any charges may arise from the probe. The commission is expected to submit its report to President Tinubu upon the conclusion of its investigation.

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