By Ayo Ayodele
Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to answer questions in connection with the investigation into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Gbajabiamila’s appearance followed an invitation from the anti-corruption agency after President Tinubu directed the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the controversial council.
Confirming the development, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said his client honoured the invitation in compliance with the President’s directive and cooperated fully with investigators.
According to Ogunye, the Chief of Staff arrived at the commission’s headquarters at about 3:00 p.m., gave his testimony, responded to questions and returned to his official duties.
President Tinubu had earlier ordered the ICPC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the creation and operations of the PFIPC, which the Presidency said was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal or executive backing.
The investigation is expected to focus on forged appointment letters and official documents allegedly used by Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who claimed to be the council’s Director-General and a presidential appointee.
The ICPC is also probing allegations that the suspect used the purported appointment to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation, as well as the opening of bank accounts in the names of government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
In addition, the anti-graft agency has been directed to determine how the fictitious council gained apparent official recognition, identify individuals or institutions that may have facilitated its activities, trace any funds linked to the scheme and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
President Tinubu also instructed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide relevant records to ensure its speedy conclusion.
The directive followed widespread public concern over reports that the PFIPC allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat, appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a ₦1.3 billion allocation, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and engaged diplomatic missions despite lacking any legal foundation.
The Presidency has consistently denied any link between Gbajabiamila and the alleged scheme, maintaining that police forensic analysis confirmed that the signature on the disputed appointment letter attributed to the Chief of Staff was forged. Authorities have pledged that anyone found culpable in the investigation will face the full weight of the law.