Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, honoured an invitation from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into a fake federal agency scandal. The non-existent agency's self-styled Director-General claimed he paid N400 million in bribes to someone he believed was Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila's Cooperation with ICPC
Gbajabiamila's lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed in a signed statement that the Chief of Staff arrived at the ICPC office at approximately 3:00 p.m. and fully cooperated with the process. According to Premium Times, Ogunye stated: "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 added: "My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post."
Details of the PFIPC Fake Agency Scandal
The investigation centres on the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body that was never established by any law or presidential order but managed to operate as though it were a legitimate government institution. Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the PFIPC, claimed he paid N400 million in bribes to someone he believed was Gbajabiamila in exchange for an official appointment letter. Using government documents, the agency secured office space inside the federal secretariat, received a budgetary allocation, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and hired public servants, despite having no legal basis to exist. President Tinubu subsequently directed the ICPC to investigate the matter after the scandal came to light.
Gbajabiamila Denies Wrongdoing
Gbajabiamila has firmly denied receiving any money from Adeyemi. His camp has maintained that he was the person who first alerted the police to Adeyemi and his questionable activities, presenting him as a whistleblower rather than a participant in the scheme. Gbajabiamila also filed a defamation suit against Adeyemi at an FCT High Court over bribery and murder allegations. Tinubu's Chief of Staff is seeking N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, and N200 million in legal costs. Adeyemi had alleged that Gbajabiamila collected a N400 million bribe through a proxy and was linked to the death of an intermediary.
Police Arrest PFIPC's Adeyemi
Earlier, the Nigerian Police arrested Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as director general of the fictitious PFIPC. Adeyemi had gone into hiding after the presidency disowned the PFIPC and labelled its founding documents as forged. A Federal High Court in Abuja charged Adeyemi and two others with forgery, impersonation, and operating an unauthorised government agency.
