Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has honoured an invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an entity the Presidency has described as fictitious and without any legal basis.
According to a statement issued by Jiti Ogunye, counsel to the Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila appeared before the ICPC on Monday in compliance with the commission’s invitation. The statement said he answered investigators’ questions and provided his testimony before returning to his official duties.
The ICPC investigation follows President Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive probe into the PFIPC controversy after allegations emerged that forged appointment letters and other official documents were used to present the council as a legitimate Federal Government agency. The commission was also tasked with investigating the alleged opening of bank accounts, the use of purported presidential appointments to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, and the possible involvement of public officials or private individuals in facilitating the scheme.
The PFIPC controversy has continued to widen in recent weeks, with parallel investigations by the House of Representatives and law enforcement agencies examining how the alleged fictitious agency obtained apparent official recognition and secured a budget allocation. Government institutions, including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria, have also appeared before lawmakers to clarify their interactions with the council.
The ongoing investigations have intensified public scrutiny of transparency and accountability within public institutions. While the appearance of senior government officials before anti-corruption agencies reflects the importance of subjecting public office holders to lawful scrutiny, the credibility of the process will ultimately depend on whether investigations are conducted impartially, thoroughly and without political interference. Public confidence in anti-corruption efforts requires that all those found culpable, regardless of status or position, are held accountable in accordance with the law, while those under investigation continue to enjoy the presumption of innocence until any wrongdoing is established by a competent court.
