PFIPC Probe: Gbajabiamila Honours ICPC Invitation, Gives Statement Over Alleged Fake Presidential Council
Commission clarifies President’s Chief of Staff was not arrested, says appearance forms part of ongoing investigation ordered by Tinubu
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has honoured an invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he gave a statement in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The clarification was contained in a press statement issued by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and signed by its Head, Media and Public Communications, Mr. J. Okor Odey, on Tuesday.
According to the Commission, Gbajabiamila visited the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, July 20, 2026, in compliance with an invitation from investigators probing the circumstances surrounding the purported PFIPC, an entity the Presidency has reportedly disowned as fraudulent.
The ICPC disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the Commission to investigate how the alleged fake council operated from the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, for about two years under Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation.
The Commission explained that the Chief of Staff arrived at its headquarters in the afternoon and spent time responding to questions from investigators before leaving the premises.
“The Commission confirms that the Chief of Staff’s visit was on the invitation of its investigators and consistent with its ongoing efforts to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he simply willingly honoured an invitation,” the statement said.
The anti-corruption agency stressed that Gbajabiamila’s appearance was part of its fact-finding process and should not be misconstrued as an arrest or detention.
According to the ICPC, the investigation is aimed at uncovering how the alleged fraudulent body was able to operate from government premises while allegedly presenting itself as a presidential institution.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR had directed the Commission to investigate how the PFIPC, an entity the Presidency has disowned as fraudulent, came to operate from within the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, for a reported period of about two years,” the Commission stated.
The Commission assured Nigerians that investigations are ongoing and pledged to provide further updates as the inquiry progresses.
“Investigations continue, and further updates will be communicated as appropriate,” the ICPC added.
