Jul 21, 2026

ICPC Under Fire: Critics Demand Arrests, Not Invitations, in PFIPC Scandal

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, Nigeria – July 21, 2026 – Fresh controversy has erupted around the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as it continues its investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, with critics accusing the agency of applying the law unevenly.

In a pointed critique aired on ARISE News, respected lawyer Dr. Maxwell Opara argued that for the ICPC to maintain public credibility in its fight against corruption, it must arrest all individuals linked to the matter rather than issuing invitations to some while detaining others.

“It should not be inviting some suspects while arresting others,” he stated firmly. “They are not above the law.”

This comes just a day after Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, voluntarily honoured an ICPC invitation to give a statement regarding the PFIPC.

The ICPC has repeatedly clarified that Gbajabiamila was not arrested but cooperated willingly as part of fact-finding efforts ordered by the President.

The Heart of the PFIPC Controversy

The PFIPC saga has gripped the nation for weeks. The Presidency has disowned the entity as fictitious, claiming it had no legal basis, presidential approval, or executive backing. Yet, for nearly two years, it allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja under Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who styled himself as Director-General.

Adeyemi has levelled serious bribery allegations against Gbajabiamila, claiming the Chief of Staff received N400 million through proxies and demanded more — including a substantial share of a reported take-off grant — in exchange for facilitating his role.

Gbajabiamila has vehemently denied these claims, filed a hefty defamation suit, and maintained that the appointment letter was forged.

Adding fuel to the fire, the controversial council secured a N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 national budget, office space approvals, and even staff recruitment waivers — developments that have puzzled many Nigerians given the Presidency’s later disclaimer.

Calls for Equal Treatment

Dr. Opara’s comments reflect growing public frustration with perceived selective enforcement.

Many observers note that while lesser figures connected to the scandal have faced arrests, high-profile individuals like Gbajabiamila receive invitations.

Critics argue this approach undermines trust in anti-corruption institutions at a time when ordinary Nigerians face aggressive probes for far smaller infractions.

President Tinubu has directed the ICPC to deliver a comprehensive report within 30 days, covering forgery, impersonation, and how the fake agency seemingly infiltrated government systems.

The investigation also examines related bank accounts, budgetary processes, and official engagements.

Veteran Perspective

As a journalist who has reported on Nigerian anti-corruption efforts across multiple administrations, this case strikes at the core of public confidence.

The PFIPC affair exposes worrying gaps in oversight — how an entity with no legal existence could secure budget lines, office space, and diplomatic interactions for so long.

Yet it also offers an opportunity: transparent, even-handed handling could strengthen institutions rather than erode them further.

The coming weeks will be telling. Will the ICPC’s actions match its rhetoric of impartiality? Nigerians, weary of scandals that rarely seem to touch the powerful equally, are watching closely.

True justice, as Dr. Opara reminds us, demands consistency — not convenience.