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 allegations surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, saying the presidential aide appeared before the anti-graft agency in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to Ogunye, Gbajabiamila arrived at the ICPC headquarters at about 3:00 p.m., provided his testimony and responded to questions from investigators before returning to his official duties.
“In full cooperation with the ICPC, acting as directed by the President of Nigeria, my client responded to the invitation of the commission and appeared as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the PFIPC and related matters,” Ogunye said.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly and has returned to his duty post.”
The investigation stems from allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the disputed PFIPC.
Adeyemi had alleged during a press conference that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s purported ₦27.3 billion take-off grant and received ₦400 million through an intermediary.
He also claimed that an additional ₦200 million was requested to facilitate presidential approvals.
However, the Chief of Staff has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as false and unfounded.
In a sworn statement, Gbajabiamila maintained that he had no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi and never demanded or received any money from him or anyone acting on his behalf.
He also denied allegations of abuse of office, interference with security agencies, involvement in the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola said to be an intermediary in the matter or any alleged assassination attempt linked to the controversy.
Following the allegations, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the claims and establish the facts surrounding the disputed agency.
The controversy has also moved to the courts, with Gbajabiamila filing a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In the suit, the Chief of Staff is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, ₦200 million as the cost of litigation, and a court order compelling Adeyemi to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers and across social media platforms.
Through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, Gbajabiamila described the allegations as “false, malicious and defamatory.
“Meanwhile, Adeyemi was recently arrested by the police in Osun State after a court issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear for arraignment in a related matter.
The ICPC investigation is expected to determine the authenticity of the allegations and the status of the PFIPC, which has been at the centre of growing public controversy in recent weeks.
