Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of an ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organization the Presidency insists has no legal existence.
Gbajabiamila was questioned at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday after honouring an invitation from investigators probing the activities of the alleged agency.
His appearance marks a significant development in the high-profile investigation, which centres on an organization that the Federal Government has publicly described as unauthorized and without any constitutional or legal foundation.
Confirming the development, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said the Chief of Staff fully cooperated with investigators in line with President Tinubu’s directive that the matter be thoroughly investigated.
According to Ogunye, Gbajabiamila arrived at the ICPC headquarters at approximately 3:00 p.m., where he answered questions from investigators before returning to his official duties.
“In full cooperation with the ICPC acting 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 of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and appeared at about 15:00hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others,” Ogunye said.
The lawyer further stated that his client gave his testimony, responded to all questions put before him and subsequently resumed his official responsibilities.
What Is the PFIPC Controversy?
The investigation revolves around the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organization that recently became the subject of public scrutiny after claims emerged suggesting it operated as a government body.
However, the Presidency has firmly distanced itself from the council, maintaining that no such agency was ever established by the Federal Government.
According to official statements, the PFIPC was neither created through an Act of the National Assembly nor established by an Executive Order or presidential approval. The Presidency has therefore described it as an unauthorized entity with no legal or constitutional backing.
Those assertions prompted anti-corruption authorities to begin investigating the circumstances surrounding the organization and any individuals who may have been connected to its activities.
Gbajabiamila Not Accused of Wrongdoing
Although Gbajabiamila’s appearance before the ICPC has attracted widespread attention because of his position as Chief of Staff to the President, neither the anti-graft agency nor his legal representatives have stated that he has been charged with any offence.
Instead, his lawyer emphasised that the appearance formed part of the commission’s ongoing fact-finding exercise and highlighted his client’s willingness to cooperate fully with investigators.
The statement also underscored that the Chief of Staff’s cooperation was consistent with President Tinubu’s directive that all relevant persons assist the investigation to establish the facts surrounding the alleged agency.
Investigation Continues
The ICPC has not publicly disclosed the full scope of its investigation or indicated whether additional officials or private individuals will be invited for questioning.
As investigators continue examining the activities linked to the PFIPC, attention is expected to remain focused on how the organization operated despite the Presidency’s insistence that it was never officially constituted.
The outcome of the probe could determine whether any criminal or administrative actions will follow, particularly if investigators establish that individuals misrepresented the organization as a legitimate government body.
For now, Gbajabiamila has resumed his official duties after responding to the commission’s questions, while the ICPC continues its investigation into the alleged activities surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
