The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has confirmed that the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, appeared before its investigators as part of an ongoing probe into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
The anti-graft agency clarified that Gbajabiamila was neither arrested nor detained, stressing that he honoured an invitation to assist investigators with information relating to the alleged operations of the organisation, which the Federal Government has described as fraudulent.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Demola Bakare, the ICPC said Gbajabiamila visited its Abuja headquarters on Monday afternoon, responded to questions from investigators and left after the session.
The commission explained that the invitation formed part of efforts to establish how the purported agency allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja for about two years despite lacking any legal backing or presidential approval.
According to the statement, “Mr Gbajabiamila arrived at the Commission in the afternoon and spent some time attending to enquiries from investigators, after which he departed the premises.”
The commission further stated, “The Chief of Staff’s visit was on the invitation of its investigators and consistent with its ongoing efforts to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he simply willingly honoured an invitation.”
It added that investigations into the matter remain ongoing and that further updates would be released when necessary.
The ICPC’s confirmation came a day after Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, disclosed that his client had appeared before the commission in compliance with President Tinubu’s directive.
Ogunye said the Chief of Staff arrived at the commission around 3 p.m. on Monday, fully cooperated with investigators, answered all questions put to him and afterwards returned to his official duties.
President Tinubu had earlier directed the ICPC to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council following the Presidency’s declaration that the organisation was not a recognised government agency. The commission was given 30 days to conclude its investigation and submit its findings.
The controversy arose after Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported agency, claimed he paid N400 million in bribes to facilitate its establishment and operations, including money allegedly meant for an individual he believed was Gbajabiamila.
The Chief of Staff has denied receiving any bribe from Adeyemi and maintained that he was the one who alerted law enforcement authorities to the suspect’s activities.
Investigators are also examining how the purported agency allegedly secured office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat, obtained budgetary allocations, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and recruited public servants despite lacking legal recognition.
Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has instituted a N15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi, demanding a retraction of the bribery allegations and a public apology.
Adeyemi is separately standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on eight counts bordering on conspiracy and forgery. The police accused him and two others, who remain at large, of forging official government documents and falsely presenting him as Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
The court subsequently issued a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest after he repeatedly failed to appear for trial. He is currently in police custody.
