The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has clarified that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was not arrested but voluntarily honoured an invitation by investigators over the ongoing probe into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, the ICPC confirmed that Gbajabiamila visited its headquarters in Abuja on Monday, July 20, where he provided a statement to assist investigators.
The Commission said the visit forms part of its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the purported PFIPC, an organisation the Presidency has described as fraudulent.
According to the ICPC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Commission to investigate how the council allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja for about two years under Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who reportedly presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed that Gbajabiamila arrived at its headquarters in the afternoon, responded to questions from investigators, and left after the session.
It stressed that the Chief of Staff’s appearance was in response to an invitation and should not be interpreted as an arrest.
“The Chief of Staff was not arrested; he simply willingly honoured an invitation,” the Commission stated.
The ICPC added that investigations into the matter are ongoing and assured that further updates would be provided when necessary.
