Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, following allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a proposed N27.3 billion take-off grant linked to the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The suit, filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, follows Adeyemi’s public allegations that Gbajabiamila demanded unlawful payments, including an alleged N400 million received through a proxy and an additional N200 million to facilitate presidential approvals. Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, was arrested in Osun State on Tuesday, shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.
Through his legal team led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) of Pinheiro LP, the Chief of Staff described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory. In the suit, Gbajabiamila is asking the court to award: N10 billion as general damages, N5 billion as aggravated damages, N200 million as litigation costs; and an order directing Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.
He also requested that the apology be pinned across all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements were published for a period of 30 days.
Court documents show Gbajabiamila denied ever meeting Adeyemi or authorising anyone to receive money or negotiate appointments on his behalf.
According to the statement of claim, the claimant maintained that he had no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi and had never demanded or received any financial benefit from him. He also denied allegations that he influenced security agencies, intimidated journalists, interfered in investigations or had any connection to the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi identified as an intermediary.
The court filings referenced interviews granted by Adeyemi after the initial press conference, including one with social media personality VeryDarkMan, where Gbajabiamila argued that the defendant made admissions inconsistent with his earlier accusations.
According to the Chief of Staff, Adeyemi admitted he had never met him physically, never held a video conversation with him and relied entirely on communications allegedly facilitated by the late Tanimola. Gbajabiamila further argued that despite acknowledging he could neither confirm nor deny whether the Chief of Staff was telling the truth, Adeyemi continued repeating the allegations during another appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on July 13.
The claimant told the court that his solicitors issued a cease-and-desist notice dated July 6, 2026, which was published in several national newspapers a day later, demanding a retraction and public apology.
Rather than withdraw the allegations, Gbajabiamila alleged that Adeyemi continued granting media interviews and restating the claims, further damaging his reputation. According to him, the repeated publications triggered widespread public discussion and numerous enquiries from colleagues, associates and members of the public both within and outside Nigeria.
The suit also disclosed that Adeyemi is currently facing criminal prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Others, involving allegations of forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters. Gbajabiamila’s legal team argued that the documents forming the basis of Adeyemi’s public allegations are already the subject of criminal proceedings.
The FCT High Court directed Adeyemi, whose address was listed as unknown but believed to be within the court’s jurisdiction, to enter an appearance within 14 days after service of the court processes or risk judgment being entered against him in default.
Gbajabiamila said he deliberately avoided engaging the matter through the media, insisting that the courtroom remains the appropriate venue to determine the dispute. He maintained that the action was instituted not only to protect his personal reputation but also to preserve the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, urging the court to grant all the reliefs sought.
