ICPC Questions Gbajabiamila As House Expands Probe Into PFIPC Scandal

ICPC Questions Gbajabiamila as House Expands Probe into PFIPC Scandal The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC has questioned the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, as investigations deepen into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council PFIPC scandal, while the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, admitted that her office failed to properly verify documents submitted by the controversial body. Appearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the matter, Walson-Jack acknowledged that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service approved an authorised staff establishment for the PFIPC without adequately verifying its legal status. She said the lapse occurred during the processing of documents presented by officials of the organisation. The House committee is investigating how the council described by government officials as a body that was never lawfully established managed to obtain official documents, secure office space within the Federal Secretariat, appear in the 2026 Appropriation Act and open foreign currency accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. As part of the widening probe, lawmakers summoned the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSGF, the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Federal Character Commission, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to explain their roles in the operations and funding of the controversial council. Gbajabiamila appeared before ICPC investigators following an invitation from the anti-graft agency. The investigation stems from allegations by self-proclaimed PFIPC Director-General Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment and alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed take-off grant. The Chief of Staff has consistently denied the allegations. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria informed lawmakers that dollar and pound sterling accounts were opened for the PFIPC but stated that the accounts were never funded. The ICPC also requested more time to complete its investigation and submit its findings to the House committee. The investigation follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu ordering the ICPC to probe the circumstances surrounding the PFIPC, amid growing concerns over how a purportedly non-existent agency allegedly secured government recognition and budgetary allocations..