The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has cleared Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, of any involvement in the scandalous creation and operation of a fake federal agency. The agency, known as the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), and its supposed Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, have been exposed as a massive fraud.
The ICPC’s investigation, ordered by President Bola Tinubu, found that Adeyemi himself forged an appointment letter in March 2024, using a fake State House letterhead and falsely attributing a signature to Gbajabiamila. Crucially, the commission found no evidence that Gbajabiamila, his office, or the State House had any direct engagement with Adeyemi or the so-called PFIPC.
The PFIPC, which had no legal standing, managed to secure office space, gain government recognition, and even open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria. This shocking loophole exposed significant weaknesses in the verification processes of various public institutions. It allowed a phantom agency to operate as if it were legitimate.
Investigators confirmed that the Office of the Chief of Staff doesn't issue appointment letters for political appointees or heads of agencies. Instead, its role is to convey presidential approvals to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. That office then issues the official letters.
The ICPC meticulously examined the Chief of Staff’s official correspondence records, including its digital systems. They found no trace of any communication related to Adeyemi or the PFIPC between 2024 and September 2025. This lack of digital footprint is a key piece of evidence against any alleged involvement.
The first official alarm about the PFIPC was raised in October 2025. That's when the Office of the National Security Adviser sought clarity on the agency's legitimacy. Once it was confirmed that the PFIPC wasn't established by any law or executive order, the Office of the Chief of Staff promptly requested the Inspector-General of Police to launch a formal investigation.
The scandal intensified as more government bodies began questioning Adeyemi and his council. Eventually, the presidency officially disowned the PFIPC, and Adeyemi faced charges for his alleged role in the operation. The ICPC’s interim report, submitted to the President on August 6, recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution for forgery, impersonation, and related offences.
Investigators also looked into a suspicious letter requesting an administrative code for the PFIPC from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. This letter bore the name Akanbi Adewale, supposedly the Director of Administration and Support Services, signing on behalf of the Permanent Secretary. However, the ICPC’s review of State House records between 2023 and 2026 showed no such person named Akanbi Adewale was ever employed there.
Further examination revealed that the State House doesn't even have a department named “Administration and Support Services.” The correct designation is the “Administration Department.” A visual inspection of the documents also highlighted differences between genuine State House letterheads and the one Adeyemi used. The inspection noted the absence of security features.
A forensic handwriting examination solidified the ICPC’s findings. It proved that the signature attributed to Adewale, and other handwriting on Adeyemi’s correspondence, were fabricated by Adeyemi himself. The commission concluded that the letter requesting the administrative code was a forgery and didn't originate from the State House.