The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday honoured an invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of its investigation into the activities of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed the development in a statement, saying his client appeared before the anti-graft agency in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
“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 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.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post,” Ogunye said.
The investigation stems from allegations made by the self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed agency, Prince Adeyemi Matthew Adeniyi, who claimed during a press conference that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s alleged ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.
Adeniyi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through an intermediary and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining in a sworn statement that he had no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeniyi.
He also denied demanding or receiving any money, abusing his office or interfering with law enforcement agencies.
The Chief of Staff further rejected allegations linking him to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeniyi identified as an intermediary, as well as claims that he was involved in an alleged assassination attempt on Adeniyi or sought to influence investigations by security agencies.
Following the allegations, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the matter.
Last week, Gbajabiamila filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeniyi before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, over the allegations.
In the suit, he is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, ₦200 million as the cost of the action, and an order compelling Adeniyi to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers and across all social media platforms where the statements were published.
Through his legal team, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Gbajabiamila described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
Adeniyi was recently arrested by the police in Osun State after a court issued a bench warrant following his failure to appear for arraignment.
Reps inaugurate probe panel
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has inaugurated a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the disputed agency and its inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The committee is also expected to investigate the alleged allocation of ₦1.3 billion to the agency, which lawmakers have described as illegal.
Speaking during the inauguration, Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said the investigation was aimed at uncovering the facts surrounding the budgetary allocation and was not politically motivated.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, assured Nigerians that the panel would conduct a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.
