Tinubu’s Chief Of Staff Appears Before ICPC In PFIPC Probe
ABUJA — Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has honoured an invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, saying the Chief of Staff appeared before the anti-corruption agency in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
According to the statement, Gbajabiamila arrived at the ICPC headquarters at about 3:00 p.m., where he gave his testimony, answered questions from investigators and subsequently returned to his official duties.
The investigation followed allegations by the self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent share of the agency’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant. Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later demanded an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has strongly denied the allegations, insisting he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also denied demanding or receiving money, abusing his office, interfering with law enforcement agencies or having any connection with the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, who was said to have acted as an intermediary.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi before a Federal Capital Territory High Court, describing the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory. He is seeking damages, a public retraction and an apology to be published in national newspapers and across social media platforms.
Adeyemi was recently arrested by the police in Osun State after a court issued a bench warrant over his failure to appear for arraignment.
The House of Representatives has also inaugurated a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the establishment of the disputed agency and the circumstances surrounding its inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Act, including the alleged allocation of ₦1.3 billion to the agency.
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