CITIZENS COMPASS— The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday, dismissed reports claiming that the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, was arrested over the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Okor Odey, who disclosed this in a statement clarified that Gbajabiamila only honoured an invitation extended to him by investigators handling the case.
The Commission said, “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 statement said.
“The Commission confirms that 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.
“Investigations continue, and further updates will be communicated as appropriate,” the statement added.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, had earlier confirmed on Monday that his client appeared before ICPC investigators in connection with the PFIPC controversy.
President Tinubu had on July 2 directed the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged agency and submit its findings within 30 days.
The PFIPC scandal drew national attention after it emerged that the organisation allegedly operated as a government agency despite lacking legal backing or presidential approval. Reports also indicated that it secured a budgetary allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act, operated from an office at the Federal Secretariat and recruited staff members.
The controversy intensified on June 11 when Gbajabiamila publicly disowned the agency, insisting that the PFIPC was never established under the Tinubu administration.
He also denied appointing Prince Adeyemi Matthew Adeniyi as Director-General of the organisation.
He was arrested in Osun State on July 14 after a bench warrant was issued against him by a Federal High Court in Abuja for failing to appear before the court. His arrest came the same day the court ordered security agencies to take him into custody.
Gbajabiamila is former speaker, House of Representatives.
