The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday confirmed that he appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in connection with the ongoing investigation into the activities of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
The self-styled Director-General of the fictitious council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, is standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery and impersonation.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye of Jiti Ogunye Chambers, confirmed his appearance in a statement on Monday, saying his client arrived at the ICPC headquarters at about 3pm, gave his testimony, responded to questions, and returned to his duty post at the State House.
Ogunye said, “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 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.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”
Gbajabiamila’s appearance forms part of the investigation ordered by President Bola Tinubu on July 7, 2026, into the activities of the fake agency.
The president directed the ICPC to investigate the matter within 30 days and submit its findings.
The PFIPC case has become one of the most politically sensitive scandals of the Tinubu administration, drawing in the presidency, the National Assembly, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
On June 11, Gbajabiamila’s office distanced itself from Adeyemi, alleging that he forged a presidential appointment letter bearing the chief of staff’s falsified signature.
The presidency said Adeyemi used the forged document to secure office space at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he operated as the head of the fictitious agency.
According to the allegations, Adeyemi held meetings with foreign diplomats; wrote to ministries and security agencies; opened 34 bank accounts, including one with the Central Bank of Nigeria; and secured at least N1.3bn in the 2026 national budget.
Adeyemi is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 27, 2026, alongside two alleged accomplices identified only as Femi and Anu, who remain at large.
