PFIPC scandal: Gbajabiamila appears before ICPC, gives testimony

Investigation into Fictitious Agency

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged activities of a fictitious entity known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The appearance marks a significant step in the investigation ordered by the President into the fraudulent agency.

His lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, Principal Counsel of Jiti Ogunye Chambers, confirmed that the Chief of Staff honored the invitation and provided testimony to investigators. The session, which began at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, focused on the activities of the fake agency and how it gained an appearance of legitimacy.

In full cooperation with the ICPC and 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 15:00 hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others.

— Jiti Ogunye, Principal Counsel, Jiti Ogunye Chambers

Presidential Directive and Scope of Probe

The development follows an explicit directive from President Bola Tinubu to the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the council. The anti-corruption agency is expected to submit a formal report on the matter within 30 days. The Presidency has maintained that the council was never established by the Federal Government and lacks any legal foundation or executive approval.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, detailed the scope of the probe, noting that the investigation was triggered by the discovery of the fictitious council. The ICPC is specifically tasked with examining how the body was able to operate within official circles and gain diplomatic support despite its lack of legal standing.

The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious council, which the Presidency said was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in law, presidential instrument, executive approval or other lawful act of government.

— Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, The Presidency

Allegations of Forgery and Institutional Exploitation

The ICPC investigation is focusing on the actions of Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who allegedly claimed to be the Director-General of the council and a presidential appointee. Investigators are scrutinizing alleged forged appointment letters and government documents used by Mathew to obtain official recognition and open multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies.

The probe will also identify institutional weaknesses that allowed the scheme to persist. President Tinubu has ordered all ministries, departments, and agencies to provide relevant records to the ICPC, emphasizing that the integrity of the Presidency must be protected against impersonation and the exploitation of public service vulnerabilities.

The integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service. All persons found culpable are to be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.

— Bola Tinubu, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Public Pressure and Budgetary Anomalies

The formal investigation follows weeks of scrutiny from civil society organizations and senior lawyers regarding the PFIPC’s operations. Critics questioned how the entity managed to operate from the Federal Secretariat Complex and appear in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an allocation of N1.3 billion despite having no enabling law.

While human rights lawyer Femi Falana, representing Adeyemi, called for a probe into the possible involvement of the Chief of Staff, the Presidency has denied any such connection. Forensic analysis conducted by the police reportedly established that Gbajabiamila’s signature on the disputed appointment letters was forged, and the case has already been filed at the Federal Court.