ICPC Confirms Questioning Gbajabiamila Over Fake Agency Probe

The anti-graft agency, however, stressed that Gbajabiamila was neither arrested nor detained, explaining that he voluntarily honoured an invitation from investigators to assist with the probe.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Demola Bakare, the ICPC said the presidential aide visited its headquarters in Abuja on Monday, where he responded to questions before leaving after the session.

According to the commission, Gbajabiamila’s appearance formed part of its fact-finding efforts aimed at determining how the alleged council reportedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja for nearly two years despite lacking any legal backing or presidential approval.

The ICPC noted that the Chief of Staff cooperated fully with investigators and reaffirmed that his visit was voluntary and consistent with the commission’s ongoing investigation into the matter.

The commission added that investigations remain ongoing and promised to provide further updates when necessary, while declining to disclose details of the questions asked during the session.

Gbajabiamila’s legal representative, Jiti Ogunye, also confirmed that his client honoured the invitation in compliance with a directive from President Bola Tinubu. According to the lawyer, the Chief of Staff gave his statement, answered investigators’ questions and subsequently returned to his official duties.

The investigation follows President Tinubu’s directive to the ICPC to probe the alleged fake agency and submit its findings within 30 days.

The Federal Government has distanced itself from the purported PFIPC, describing it as an unauthorised organisation allegedly operated by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of falsely presenting himself as the council’s Director-General.

The controversy escalated after Adeyemi allegedly claimed he paid ₦400 million in bribes to facilitate the operations of the purported agency, including money he alleged was intended for someone he believed to be Gbajabiamila.

The Chief of Staff has denied the bribery allegations, insisting he never received any payment and maintaining that he was the person who initially reported Adeyemi and the alleged activities of the purported agency to law enforcement authorities.

Investigators are examining claims that the organisation allegedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, accessed budgetary allocations, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and recruited personnel using official government documents despite having no recognised legal status.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is conducting a separate investigation into the activities and legal standing of the alleged council, while Adeyemi is facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations relating to conspiracy, forgery and falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.

The allegations against Adeyemi remain before the court and have not yet been determined. Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has instituted a ₦15 billion defamation suit against him over the bribery claims, seeking damages after demanding a retraction and public apology.