By Ado Oyeyemi
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday appeared before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
His lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed the development in a statement, saying Gbajabiamila honoured the invitation in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a full investigation into the activities of the disputed agency.
According to the statement, the Chief of Staff appeared before the commission at about 3:00 p.m., answered questions from investigators, provided his account of events and later returned to his official duties.
The investigation follows allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the director general of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. Adeyemi had alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent share of the agency’s reported ₦27.3 billion take off grant.
He also accused the presidential aide of receiving ₦400 million through an intermediary and requesting an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has strongly denied the allegations, insisting he has never had any personal, professional or official relationship with Adeyemi.
He also dismissed claims that he demanded or received money, abused his office or interfered with law enforcement agencies.
The Chief of Staff further denied allegations linking him to the reported death of Babatunde Tanimola, who was alleged to have acted as an intermediary, as well as claims of involvement in an alleged assassination attempt and interference with security investigations.
Following the allegations, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has instituted a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In the suit, he is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, ₦200 million as the cost of litigation, and an order compelling Adeyemi to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers and on all social media platforms where the allegations were circulated.
His legal team described the claims as false, malicious and defamatory.
Adeyemi was recently arrested by the police in Osun State after a court issued a bench warrant over his failure to appear for arraignment.
In a related development, the House of Representatives has inaugurated a 12 member ad hoc committee to investigate the establishment of the disputed agency and the process through which it was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The panel is also expected to examine the alleged allocation of ₦1.3 billion to the agency in the 2026 budget.
Speaking at the inauguration, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said the investigation was aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the allocation and was not intended to serve any political interest.
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Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, assured Nigerians that the panel would conduct a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into the matter.
