16 Days to Deadline, ICPC Grills TINUBU’S COS as Gbajabiamila-gate probe expands

…Reps summon SGF, AGF, Finance Minister, Budget DG over fake agency scandal

By Jeremy Fregene
The investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body the Presidency has described as fictitious, formally gathered momentum on Monday as President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to answer questions over the scandal.

Gbajabiamila’s appearance came in compliance with an invitation extended by the anti-graft agency following President Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive probe into the operations of the purported council, which allegedly operated as a federal agency despite having no legal backing or presidential approval.

Confirming his client’s appearance, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said the Chief of Staff reported to the ICPC headquarters at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday, where he answered investigators’ questions before returning to his official duties.

“In full cooperation with the ICPC and acting as directed by the President of Nigeria, my client responded to the invitation of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the PFIPC fake agency,” Ogunye said.

He added that Gbajabiamila “gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”

The development marks the first major public appearance by the President’s Chief of Staff since the Presidency ordered a far-reaching investigation into the activities of the controversial body.

President Tinubu had directed the ICPC to conclude investigations within 30 days after the Presidency announced that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and had no basis in law, executive approval, presidential instrument, or any other lawful act of government.

The investigation is centred on allegations that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew falsely presented himself as Director-General of the council using forged presidential appointment letters and other fake government documents.

According to the Presidency, the ICPC has been mandated to investigate the alleged forgery of official documents, the use of the fake presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies, and the movement of any funds connected with the scheme.

Investigators are also expected to determine whether any public officials, financial institutions, or private individuals aided the operation of the alleged fake agency, while identifying loopholes within government institutions that enabled it to function with apparent legitimacy.

The scandal intensified after reports emerged that the council allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, maintained accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and even appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budgetary allocation of about ₦1.3 billion.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has opened a parallel investigation into the affair, summoning top government officials to explain how the controversial council gained access to government facilities and the national budget.

Those invited to appear before the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the PFIPC include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi; and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.

The committee also directed other relevant government officials to appear before it to explain the circumstances surrounding the existence and operations of the council.

At Monday’s public hearing, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, told lawmakers that although the office space occupied by the PFIPC was located within premises allocated to her office, the agency was never recognised by the Office of the Head of Service.

She disclosed that the PFIPC had requested approval of its organisational structure, but the request was rejected because the necessary documentation was not provided.

According to her, the Office of the Head of Service neither deployed personnel to the council nor allocated office accommodation to it.

Also testifying before the committee, the Central Bank of Nigeria confirmed that the PFIPC had two accounts with the apex bank.

CBN Director of Banking Services, Hamisu Abdullahi, explained that the accounts were opened after the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation issued the required clearance in July 2025.

He, however, stated that the accounts were never activated because no authorised signatories were presented to the bank.

Chairman of the House Committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), said lawmakers were determined to unravel how the alleged fake agency acquired the trappings of legitimacy and found its way into official government processes, including the national budget.

The Presidency has consistently distanced Gbajabiamila from the alleged fraud, maintaining that forensic analysis conducted by the Nigeria Police established that the signature on the disputed appointment letter purportedly issued by the Chief of Staff was forged.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had said police investigators concluded that all the documents used by the alleged promoter of the council were fake and that criminal charges have already been filed in court.