Gbajabiamila Appears Before ICPC Over Probe of Fake Presidential Council
By Victor Idajili
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 investigations into the activities of a fictitious body known as the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC.
Gbajabiamila appeared before ICPC investigators at about 3:00pm on Monday, July 20, 2026, nearly two weeks after President Bola Tinubu ordered the anti-graft agency to carry out a full probe into the fake agency and submit its findings within 30 days.
Confirming the visit, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said his client cooperated fully with the commission.
“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 and appeared 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 stated.
President Tinubu had on July 7 directed the ICPC to investigate how the PFIPC operated despite having no legal backing, presidential approval or executive instrument establishing it.
The Presidency said the fake council was uncovered after forged appointment letters, counterfeit State House documents and claims of official recognition came to light.
Investigators are looking into allegations that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council. He is accused of using forged documents bearing the Chief of Staff’s signature and fake State House letterheads to seek diplomatic support, process visa applications and open bank accounts in the name of purported government agencies.
President Tinubu asked the ICPC to determine the full extent of the fraud, trace the origin and movement of funds linked to the scheme, identify all individuals and institutions involved, and recommend steps to prevent a repeat.
The commission was also directed to examine procedural weaknesses in government that may have been exploited and propose reforms to strengthen safeguards.
The Presidency went public with the matter in late June, describing PFIPC as fictitious and warning that its operators had impersonated government officials and forged documents to appear legitimate.
Although concerns about the group had been raised internally months earlier, the issue escalated after the Chief of Staff’s office publicly disowned the council and ordered a full investigation.
President Tinubu has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to cooperate with the ICPC, stressing that the integrity of the Presidency and public institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity. He also said anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
