ICPC quizzes Gbajabiamila over PFIPC scandal

ICPC quizzes Gbajabiamila over PFIPC scandal

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday interrogated Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, about the alleged fake federal agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Jiti Ogunye, Principal Counsel of Jiti Ogunye Chambers and lawyer to the Chief of Staff, said in a two-paragraph statement that Gbajabiamila complied with the commission’s invitation.

The statement said: “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.

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

Tinubu recently directed the ICPC to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of PFIPC and all related matters, demanding a comprehensive report within 30 days.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had revealed the directive in a statement titled “President Tinubu orders ICPC to investigate Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”

According to Onanuga: “The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious council, which the Presidency said was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in law, presidential instrument, executive approval or other lawful act of government.”

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the forged appointment letters and official government documents allegedly used by one Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who claimed to be Director-General of the council and asserted he was a presidential appointee.

The ICPC was also mandated to investigate Adeyemi’s alleged use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

Tinubu also ordered the ICPC to examine “the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy,” the statement read.

The statement added, “The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme.”

The President further directed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that were exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent a recurrence.

All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government were directed to provide the ICPC with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.

“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 president stated.