The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has questioned Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of its ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency has declared non-existent.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed on Monday that the President’s Chief of Staff honoured the ICPC’s invitation and fully cooperated with investigators.
According to Ogunye, Gbajabiamila arrived at the ICPC headquarters at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday and answered questions relating to the commission’s probe into the alleged activities of the fake PFIPC.
“In full cooperation with the ICPC, acting as directed by the President of Nigeria, my client, Femi Gbajabiamila, responded to the invitation of the Commission 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 stated.
He added that after giving his statement and responding to investigators’ questions, Gbajabiamila returned to his official duties.
The PFIPC controversy erupted after the Presidency clarified that the council was never created by the Federal Government, nor established through any law, executive order or presidential approval.
At the centre of the scandal is Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as the Director-General of the council while claiming he was appointed by President Tinubu.
According to the Presidency, investigators uncovered allegations that forged presidential appointment letters and other official government documents were used to legitimise the fake agency. The suspects are also alleged to have sought diplomatic recognition, facilitated visa applications, and opened multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.
The controversy intensified after reports indicated that the non-existent agency allegedly received a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act and was reportedly assigned office space within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, raising serious concerns about how a fake government body operated within official structures.
The revelations sparked widespread public concern over possible institutional lapses and the potential involvement of insiders.
Adeyemi has publicly alleged that Gbajabiamila knew about the council and played a role in his appointment. However, the Chief of Staff has repeatedly denied the claims, insisting he neither appointed Adeyemi nor had any connection with the organisation, describing him as an impostor currently facing criminal prosecution.
In response to the growing controversy, President Tinubu on July 7 directed the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the PFIPC and everyone connected to its activities.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President ordered the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report.
The ICPC was specifically directed to investigate the alleged forgery of presidential appointment letters and government documents, the use of fake appointments to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, the opening and operation of bank accounts using forged documents, the movement of funds linked to the purported agency, and the possible involvement of public officials, financial institutions and other collaborators who may have facilitated the scheme.
President Tinubu also instructed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to provide the ICPC with all relevant records and necessary support.
According to Onanuga, the investigation is aimed not only at identifying those responsible but also at exposing institutional weaknesses that enabled the alleged fraud to appear legitimate and recommending reforms to prevent a recurrence.
