ABUJA — Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday honoured an invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body the Presidency has described as fictitious.
Gbajabiamila’s appearance followed President Tinubu’s directive ordering the anti-corruption agency to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fake federal agency and submit its findings within 30 days.
Confirming the development, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said the Chief of Staff fully cooperated with investigators in compliance with both the ICPC’s invitation and the President’s directive.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ogunye disclosed that Gbajabiamila arrived at the ICPC headquarters at about 3:00 p.m., where he answered questions relating to the investigation before returning to his official duties.
According to the statement, the Chief of Staff provided his testimony and responded to all issues raised by investigators as part of efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent council.
The investigation stems from the Presidency’s discovery that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, executive approval or presidential authorisation.
President Tinubu subsequently directed the ICPC to investigate the activities of the organisation, including the alleged use of forged government documents and appointment letters by one Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who reportedly presented himself as the Director-General of the council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.
The commission is also investigating allegations that Adeyemi used the purported appointment to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation, while allegedly opening multiple bank accounts in the names of government agencies with forged documents.
Beyond the alleged forgery, the ICPC has been mandated to determine how the fictitious organisation was able to acquire the appearance of legitimacy within government circles.
Investigators are expected to examine the origin and use of the alleged forged documents, the process through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been obtained, the establishment and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of any funds connected with the scheme and the possible involvement of public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries.
The President also instructed the anti-corruption agency to identify institutional loopholes that may have enabled the alleged fraud and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
To facilitate the investigation, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC with all relevant documents, records and assistance required for the timely completion of the assignment.
President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and other government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and any attempt to exploit weaknesses within the public service.
He further directed that anyone found culpable after the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
The controversy surrounding the alleged fake council intensified following public concerns over reports that the organisation allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat Complex, maintained accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budgetary allocation of N1.3 billion, and interacted with diplomatic missions despite lacking any legal establishment.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, counsel to Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, has questioned how the alleged organisation found its way into the national budget if its appointment documents were indeed forged. He also called for a thorough investigation involving both Adeyemi and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Presidency, however, has consistently denied any connection between Gbajabiamila and the alleged scheme.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated that forensic analysis conducted by the Nigeria Police on the signature appearing on the disputed appointment letter confirmed that it was forged.
According to Onanuga, the police completed their investigation before filing charges in court and concluded that the documents allegedly used by Adeyemi, including the appointment letter, were fraudulent.
The ICPC investigation is ongoing.
Gbajabiamila Appears Before ICPC Over Investigation Into Alleged Fake Presidential Agency
