PFIPC: ICPC Quizzes Gbajabiamila as Probe Deepens
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has questioned the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over its ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, in a development that signals a fresh phase in the high-profile probe ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
The anti-graft agency confirmed on Tuesday that Gbajabiamila honoured its invitation on Monday at its headquarters in Abuja, where he made a statement to investigators over the circumstances surrounding the controversial council, which allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat for about two years despite not being recognised by the Presidency.
The commission, in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, stressed that the President’s Chief of Staff was not arrested but voluntarily responded to investigators’ invitation as part of efforts to establish the facts surrounding the case.
READ ALSO: TCN Commissions 60MVA Mobile Transformer in Yobe, Boosts Power Supply
According to the ICPC, Gbajabiamila arrived at the commission’s headquarters on Monday afternoon, responded to questions from investigators and departed after the session.
The agency explained that Tinubu had directed it to unravel how the purported PFIPC allegedly operated from offices within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja under one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who reportedly presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation.
The ICPC said the Presidency had since disowned the council, describing it as a fraudulent entity.
“The Chief of Staff’s visit was at the invitation of investigators and in line with the Commission’s ongoing efforts to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he willingly honoured the invitation,” the statement read.
The commission added that investigations were still in progress and that additional information would be made public as developments unfold.
INCNews247 recalls that the PFIPC controversy came to public attention after the Presidency publicly distanced itself from the organisation, declaring that it had no legal backing or presidential authorisation to operate on behalf of the Federal Government.
The alleged council was said to have projected itself as a government-backed investment promotion agency and reportedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, with its alleged Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, presenting himself as the head of the body.
Following the revelation, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine how the organisation gained access to government facilities, identify those behind its operations and establish whether public officials aided its activities.
