Gbajabiamila Honoured ICPC Invitation, Was Not Arrested Over PFIPC Probe – Commission

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed reports that the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, was arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The commission, in a clarification issued on Tuesday, said Gbajabiamila was neither arrested nor detained but voluntarily honoured an invitation from its investigators as part of efforts to establish the facts surrounding the matter.

According to the anti-corruption agency, the President's Chief of Staff appeared at its headquarters in Abuja, answered questions from investigators and left after the session.

The clarification followed reports suggesting that Gbajabiamila had been arrested by the commission in connection with the PFIPC investigation.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Demola Bakare, the ICPC said the Chief of Staff's appearance before investigators was part of the commission's ongoing fact-finding process.

“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 commission also sought to distinguish between being invited for questioning and being arrested, stressing that individuals may be questioned during an investigation without that necessarily implying that they have committed an offence.

The ICPC said interviewing or questioning persons who may have information relevant to an investigation falls within its statutory responsibilities and should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing.

It added that its investigation into the PFIPC controversy remained ongoing and that the commission would provide further information when necessary.

Gbajabiamila's appearance before the ICPC had earlier been confirmed by his lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, who said on Monday that the presidential aide had met with investigators to respond to questions relating to the controversy.

The development followed President Bola Tinubu's directive on July 2 for the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and controversy surrounding the PFIPC.

The President's directive was announced by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who said the commission had been asked to conclude its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.

The PFIPC controversy has generated public interest and scrutiny, prompting calls for clarity over the council's activities and the circumstances surrounding the allegations that led to the investigation.

With the ICPC's clarification, the commission has now made clear that Gbajabiamila's appearance before its investigators was a voluntary response to an invitation and not an arrest.

The investigation, however, remains ongoing, and the commission is expected to establish the facts and determine whether any individual or institution breached relevant laws or regulations.

For now, the ICPC has urged the public to distinguish between investigative questioning and arrest, while maintaining that its inquiry will continue until the relevant facts have been fully established.