Rufai Oseni Questions Tinubu’s ICPC Probe Order, Says Nigerians Should Not Expect Much

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Media Personality Casts Doubt on Presidency’s Investigation Directive

Nigerian broadcaster Rufai Oseni has expressed strong skepticism over President Bola Tinubu’s directive instructing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations linked to the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) and its self-proclaimed Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.

According to top economic stories sourced by Gossip News Now, the television journalist believes the latest directive will do little to uncover the truth, insisting that the government’s earlier response to the controversy has already influenced public perception about the outcome.

Oseni Says Presidency Already Sent a Clear Signal

Speaking during ARISE Television’s morning programme, Rufai Oseni argued that the Presidency had effectively taken a position before ordering an investigation, making the entire exercise appear questionable.

He maintained that announcing a probe after initially defending key figures connected to the matter weakens public confidence in the credibility of the process. In his view, the sequence of events creates doubts about whether investigators would be allowed to operate without interference.

Rather than presenting the investigation as an independent effort, Oseni suggested it could be interpreted by many Nigerians as a strategy aimed at calming public criticism instead of establishing accountability.

Questions Raised Over Femi Gbajabiamila’s Mention

A major point raised by the journalist centred on the Presidency’s earlier communication regarding Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu.

According to Oseni, the initial official statement appeared to clear Gbajabiamila before any comprehensive inquiry had taken place. He argued that such a position could undermine public trust because it gives the impression that conclusions were reached ahead of any independent findings.

He stressed that when an investigation begins after officials have seemingly been defended publicly, citizens naturally begin to question whether the outcome has already been predetermined.

Confidence in the ICPC Probe Remains Low

The broadcaster also questioned whether the ICPC would be willing or able to pursue an investigation that could potentially implicate influential individuals within government circles.

Expressing his doubts in a different way, Oseni suggested that expecting a probe to expose powerful insiders after the Presidency had already shown support for some of those involved would be unrealistic. He implied that such circumstances make it difficult for many Nigerians to believe the investigation will reach an impartial conclusion.

Call for Equal Treatment of Everyone Mentioned

Despite his criticism, Rufai Oseni clarified that he was not declaring anyone guilty of wrongdoing.

Instead, he argued that every individual whose name has surfaced in the controversy should appear before investigators so the facts can be independently established. According to him, transparency can only be achieved when all relevant parties are examined without exceptions or preferential treatment.

He maintained that accountability requires a fair investigative process rather than assumptions of innocence or guilt before evidence has been reviewed.

Broad Concerns About Political Accountability

During his remarks, Oseni broadened the discussion beyond the current allegations by referring to previous incidents that, in his opinion, remain unresolved.

He suggested that several high-profile controversies have failed to produce satisfactory public explanations, contributing to widespread distrust in official investigations. He also argued that political loyalty often appears to influence who eventually faces prosecution, claiming that individuals tend to encounter legal troubles only after falling out of favour politically.

These observations, he said, have reinforced public skepticism whenever new government investigations are announced.

Analysis: Public Trust Will Depend on Transparency

The controversy surrounding the PFIPC has once again placed the spotlight on transparency and institutional independence in Nigeria.

Although the Presidency has ordered the ICPC to investigate the allegations, critics such as Rufai Oseni believe public confidence will ultimately depend on whether the commission conducts a thorough, impartial and evidence-driven inquiry.

For many observers, the credibility of the investigation will not be determined by the announcement itself but by the fairness of the process, the openness of its findings and whether every individual connected to the allegations is treated equally under the law.