Nigeria: President's Chief of Staff questioned in fake agency scandal

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, has appeared before investigators to address a scandal involving a fake agency.

Gbajabiamila's lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed his client's appearance before the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on Monday, July 20, 2026. "In full cooperation with the ICPC acting as directed by the President of Nigeria, I hereby confirm that my client, Femi Gbajabiamila... responded to the invitation of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and appeared at about 15:00hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others," Ogunye stated.

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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 15:00hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others.

The investigation stems from allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, the disowned Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Adeyemi claimed he paid N400 million in a bribe to someone he believed was Gbajabiamila to obtain an appointment letter for his office. Despite its non-existence, Adeyemi's agency reportedly secured an office, budgetary allocation, bank accounts, and employed public servants using official government documents.

Gbajabiamila has denied collecting any bribe from Adeyemi and had previously reported him and his activities to the police. The President ordered the ICPC to investigate the scandal, which has rocked the federal government. Gbajabiamila has since returned to his duty post after providing his testimony.

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My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post