The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed it interrogated the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, in its ongoing investigation of the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC)
But the anti-graft agency explained that Gbajabiamila was neither arrested nor detained, saying he only voluntarily honoured an invitation from its investigators.
This was made known by the commission in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head, Media and Public Communications, Demola Bakare, after the visit of the presidential aide to its headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
The commission said Gbajabiamila was invited to assist investigators to determine how the alleged council operated from the Federal Secretariat, Abuja for about two years without being created by any law or presidential proclamation.
The ICPC said the Chief of Staff turned up at its headquarters on Monday afternoon, answered questions from investigators and left after the session.
“Mr Gbajabiamila came to the Commission in the afternoon, spent some time answering questions from investigators and left the premises,” the statement added.
The commission said his appearance was part of its fact-finding exercise.
“The Commission reiterates that the visit by the Chief of Staff was at the invitation of its investigators and in the context of its ongoing work to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he simply acceded to an invitation freely,” the ICPC added.
Investigations were continuing and further updates would be given when necessary, it said. The commission did not reveal any information about the questions asked to the presidential aide.
Earlier, the lawyer for Gbajabiamila, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed that his client appeared before ICPC investigators on Monday.
Ogunye said the Chief of Staff visited the commission about 3pm in compliance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
“My client testified, answered questions as he was supposed to and has gone back to his duty post,” Ogunye said.
Probe Is Directed by President
President Tinubu had earlier directed the ICPC to probe the alleged fake agency and submit its report within 30 days.
Since then, the Federal Government has disassociated itself from the PFIPC, claiming it is an unauthorised entity purportedly run by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is said to have posed as its Director-General.
Read Also: Roll Call of Faith Leaders: Private Jets Land in Warri for Historic Dreamland Dedication
The controversy came after Adeyemi claimed he paid bribes amounting to ₦400 million to set up and operate the purported agency, including money he claimed he paid to someone he believed to be Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila has denied collecting any bribe and also said he was the one who reported Adeyemi and the alleged activities of the purported agency to the police.
The focus is on how the alleged organisation operated in the bureaucracy of the Federal Government without any legal basis of recognition.
The body is also accused of securing office space in the Federal Secretariat, securing budgetary allocations, opening accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and employing public servants with official government documents, an allegation being investigated by authorities.
The House of Representatives is also conducting its own investigation into the legal status and operations of the alleged council.
Adeyemi is also facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court, Abuja over the alleged operation of the purported agency.
He and two other suspects believed to be on the run have been charged by police with conspiracy and forgery of official government documents.
One of the allegations is that ADEFEMI impersonated the Director-General of the PFIPC.
The court later issued a warrant for his arrest when he repeatedly failed to show up for trial. He is presently in police custody.
Gbajabiamila has also filed a separate civil suit against Adeyemi, seeking ₦15 billion in damages over the bribery allegations. He had asked Adeyemi to retract the claims and offer an apology.
Adeyemi’s allegations are still sub judice before the court and are awaiting determination.
