The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Related Commission, ICPC, has quizzed Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, over the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC.
The ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, confirmed the development in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
Odey explained that Gbajabiamila was invited by the commission over his alleged involvement in the establishment of the controversial agency.
He said that the chief of staff to the president honoured the invitation and was questioned by the commission’s team of investigators.
“He was indeed at our office this afternoon. He was invited and he came, he volunteered a statement and left.
“We did not detain him; he was not arrested. He came on his own willingly, gave his statement and left. He was cooperating with the investigations,” he said.
PFIPC became controversial after self-styled Director-General Adeniyi Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s ₦27.3 billion proposed take-of grant.
Adeyemi also alleged that Gbajabiamila collected the sum of ₦400 million via a proxy from him to secure his appointment as the director general of the PFIPC and was requesting ₦200 million more for presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila, however, in a sworn statement denied knowing Adeyemi and refuted claims of bribery, abuse of office, or interference with security agencies.
The Chief of Staff further denied allegations linking him to an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi.
He further denied involvement in the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi claimed acted as an intermediary.
President Bola Tinubu had in view of the controversy directed the ICPC to probe the matter within 30 days.
Earlier in a statement on Monday, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed the Chief of Staff’s appearance at the ICPC.
Ogunye said that Gbajabiamila appeared before the anti-corruption agency in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
“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 by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
“He appeared at about 15:00hrs on Monday, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others.
“My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post,” he said.
Source: NAN
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