The Presidency came under scrutiny yesterday as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) questioned Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila over allegations linked to the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The development came as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Didi Esther Walson-Jack, admitted before a House of Representatives committee that her office failed to properly verify documents submitted by officials of the controversial body before issuing an authorised staff establishment for it.
The committee also sought answers to how the council, which government officials insist was never lawfully established, obtained official documents, appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act, secured office space within the Federal Secretariat and had domiciliary accounts opened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
As the probe widened, the committee summoned the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of Finance, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Federal Character Commission and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to appear before it over issues relating to the operations and funding of the controversial council.
Gbajabiamila appeared before investigators at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja in response to an invitation issued by the anti-corruption agency as part of its probe into the activities surrounding the PFIPC and allegations made against senior government officials.
The investigation stems from claims by the self-acclaimed Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, who alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded financial benefits in exchange for facilitating his appointment.
Adeyemi claimed he paid N400 million to the Chief of Staff to secure his appointment as Director-General of the agency. He also alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed N27.3 billion take-off grant.
He further claimed that his dealings with the Chief of Staff were facilitated by the late Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary, and urged investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death as part of the probe.
Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations, describing them as false and defamatory. He subsequently filed a N15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi.
Amid the allegations and counter-allegations, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to conduct a full investigation and submit its findings within 30 days.
Confirming his client’s appearance before investigators, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said the Chief of Staff fully cooperated with the commission.
“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 and appeared at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the PFIPC fake agency, among others,” Ogunye said in a statement.
According to Ogunye, Gbajabiamila gave a detailed account of his knowledge of the issues, answered all questions put to him by investigators and returned to his official duties after the session.
The PFIPC controversy has drawn public attention following claims that the organisation operated without formal government recognition while allegedly carrying out activities under the guise of a presidential initiative.
The ICPC has yet to issue an official statement on the outcome of yesterday’s questioning or indicate whether additional persons connected with the allegations will be invited.
The investigation is expected to determine the authenticity of Adeyemi’s claims and whether any criminal conduct occurred in relation to the disputed agency and its alleged financial dealings.
