The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has honoured an invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, saying his client appeared before the anti-corruption agency in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
“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 (ICPC) and appeared at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the PFIPC, among other matters.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post,” Ogunye stated.
The PFIPC controversy began after Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, who claims to be the Director-General of the disputed agency, alleged during a press conference that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent share of the agency’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.
Adeniyi further alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through an intermediary and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has consistently denied the allegations, stating under oath that he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeniyi.
He also denied demanding or receiving money, abusing his office or interfering with any law enforcement agency.
The Chief of Staff further rejected allegations linking him to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeniyi claimed acted as an intermediary, as well as claims of involvement in an alleged assassination attempt on Adeniyi or interference with investigations by security agencies.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeniyi at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, over the kickback allegations.
In the suit, he is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, ₦200 million as the cost of the action, and an order compelling Adeniyi to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers and across all social media platforms where the alleged defamatory statements were made.
Through his legal team, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Gbajabiamila described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
Adeniyi was recently arrested by the police in Osun State after a court issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his failure to appear for his scheduled arraignment.
