The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has questioned the alleged founder of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, inside police detention as investigations into the disputed agency gather momentum.
Authorities launched the probe after Adeyemi allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of a presidential agency that the Federal Government insists does not exist. Investigators are examining allegations involving forged documents, multiple bank accounts and the council’s appearance in the 2026 budget.
ICPC postpones questioning over lawyer’s absence
ICPC officials initially scheduled Adeyemi’s interrogation for 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre. However, they postponed the exercise after his lawyer failed to appear.
The anti-graft agency later resumed the interrogation at about 3 p.m. after the lawyer arrived. Investigators, however, ended the session before completing the questioning and may continue it later.
A senior police source explained why officials delayed the exercise.
“The ICPC earlier today (Wednesday) was at the Cybercrime Centre in an attempt to interview Adeyemi around 10am, but the interview could not hold after the set-up had been done because his lawyer was absent. That was why the interview was later fixed for 3pm,”
Another source confirmed that investigators questioned Adeyemi in the presence of his lawyer before ending the session.
“His lawyer eventually came and he was later interrogated in the presence of his lawyer. They couldn’t conclude the questioning today and there’s the possibility of them continuing some other day, probably tomorrow (today),”
Gbajabiamila honours ICPC invitation
The investigation also drew in Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who recently honoured an invitation from the ICPC.
Adeyemi had alleged that Gbajabiamila gave him an appointment letter and collected money to secure the position. However, the Chief of Staff denied the allegation and filed a lawsuit against him. The Presidency also maintained that it never created the PFIPC.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, confirmed his client’s appearance before the commission.
“In full cooperation with the ICPC acting as directed by the President of Nigeria, I hereby confirm that my client, Femi Gbajabiamila… responded to the invitation… 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.”
Reps summon top government officials
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the PFIPC will question several top government officials over the council’s activities.
Those expected before the committee include Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Accountant-General Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
Lawmakers want the officials to explain how the council appeared in the 2026 budget. They will also clarify issues surrounding its alleged access to government facilities. The hearing follows testimony from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which distanced itself from the PFIPC and questioned its legitimacy.
Read also: PFIPC scandal deepens as ICPC questions Gbajabiamila, summons key agencies
