The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly cleared the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, of wrongdoing in the controversy surrounding the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The development followed an investigation ordered by President Tinubu after revelations emerged that the alleged fake agency had operated from a federal government office in Abuja and secured official-looking documents and budgetary provisions despite having no legal basis.
Gbajabiamila appeared before the ICPC on July 20, 2026, where he answered questions concerning the alleged agency and its activities. His lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed that the Chief of Staff cooperated with the investigation, gave his testimony and subsequently returned to his official duties.
According to findings reported by ThisDay, the ICPC’s investigation absolved Gbajabiamila while identifying alleged collaborators within several government institutions, including offices linked to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Budget Office and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The investigation also recommended the prosecution of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent PFIPC. The commission reportedly found that Adeyemi was also connected to other fictitious organisations.
Adeyemi has already been facing criminal proceedings over allegations bordering on forgery, conspiracy and impersonation. The police accused him of producing or using forged official documents and falsely presenting himself as the head of the purported government agency.
The controversy escalated after Adeyemi allegedly accused Gbajabiamila of demanding a 48 per cent kickback from a proposed β¦27.3 billion take-off grant for the purported agency. Gbajabiamila has consistently denied the allegation and instituted a β¦15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi over the claims.
The alleged PFIPC was reportedly able to secure an office within the Federal Secretariat, obtain budgetary provisions and operate with the appearance of a legitimate government institution despite not being established by law or a valid presidential instrument.
The ICPC probe was launched after President Tinubu directed the commission to investigate the circumstances that allowed the fictitious agency to gain official recognition and access government structures.
With the investigation now reportedly clearing Gbajabiamila, attention is expected to shift to the individuals and government officials identified in the report, as well as the prosecution of those allegedly responsible for creating and operating the fictitious agency.
