ICPC probe: Gbajabiamila was invited, not arrested

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, honoured its invitation and gave a statement as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the commission said Gbajabiamila visited its headquarters in Abuja on Monday, where he responded to questions from investigators before leaving.

The ICPC said the investigation followed President Tinubu’s directive to probe the circumstances surrounding the purported PFIPC after the Presidency disowned the organisation as a fake government agency.

According to the commission, investigators are examining how the alleged council reportedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja for about two years under the leadership of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the agency’s Director-General.

The anti-graft agency clarified that Gbajabiamila’s appearance before investigators was voluntary and should not be interpreted as an arrest.

“The Commission confirms that the Chief of Staff’s visit was on the invitation of its investigators and consistent with its ongoing efforts to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he simply willingly honoured an invitation,” the statement said.

The ICPC added that investigations into the alleged PFIPC fraud are ongoing and assured that further updates would be provided as the probe progresses.