ICPC Questions Gbajabiamila in PFIPC Investigation

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of its investigation into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The anti-corruption agency disclosed on Tuesday that Gbajabiamila honoured an invitation from its investigators at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday. During the visit, he gave a statement to assist the inquiry into the activities and operations of the alleged council.

According to the ICPC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a full investigation into the PFIPC after the Presidency declared that the body was not a legitimate government agency. Investigators are examining how the organisation reportedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja for about two years under Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as its director-general.

The commission explained that Gbajabiamila arrived at its headquarters in the afternoon, answered questions from investigators and departed after the session was completed. It added that he was not arrested or detained at any point, noting that his appearance formed part of the fact-finding process. The agency also said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information would be released when appropriate.

The development followed claims made by Prince Adeyemi Matthew Adeniyi, who identified himself as the director-general of the alleged PFIPC. In a video interview released after his arrest, Adeniyi alleged that officials of the Budget Office played a role in securing the inclusion of the controversial agency in the Federal Government’s budget.

He also claimed that Gbajabiamila had no involvement in the reported N1.3 billion budget allocation for the agency, insisting that he personally worked with Budget Office officials to facilitate its inclusion.

Earlier this month, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged fake agency and submit its findings within 30 days.

The Federal Government has already disowned the PFIPC, describing it as a fraudulent organisation allegedly run by Adeniyi, who is accused of falsely presenting himself as the agency’s director-general.

The controversy deepened after allegations emerged that Adeniyi claimed to have paid N400 million in bribes to facilitate the establishment and operation of the purported agency, including money allegedly intended for someone he believed was Gbajabiamila.

Gbajabiamila has denied receiving any bribe from Adeniyi. He also maintained that he was the person who first reported Adeniyi and his activities to the police.