Gbajabiamila defamation suit has taken centre stage after Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Olufemi Gbajabiamila, issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, demanding the withdrawal of what he described as false and defamatory allegations made during a widely circulated press conference. The Chief of Staff warned that failure to comply would result in both civil and criminal legal proceedings.
The demands were conveyed in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, issued by Pinheiro LP through Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro.
In addition to withdrawing the allegations, the legal team requested that Adeyemi publish an unequivocal public apology, remove all allegedly defamatory publications from every media platform under his control and provide a written undertaking not to repeat similar claims. According to the letter, the legal action follows a press conference addressed by Prince Matthew on June 25, 2026, which was subsequently circulated across print, electronic and social media platforms.
Pinheiro LP stated that the press conference contained numerous allegations it described as false, malicious and unsupported by evidence.
Among the claims challenged were allegations that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the alleged take-off grant for the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, received N400 million through proxies in connection with appointments, manipulated budget processes, abused his office, intimidated individuals and media organisations, interfered with security agencies, acted under the influence of intoxicating substances while carrying out official duties, engaged in corruption and other criminal conduct, and was involved in murder and an alleged cover-up.
The solicitors maintained that the allegations lacked factual foundation and were intended to portray the Chief of Staff as corrupt, dishonest, administratively incompetent and unfit for public office.
The law firm stated that Gbajabiamila had never met, communicated with or maintained any personal or official relationship with Prince Matthew. According to the solicitors, the absence of any prior interaction further demonstrated what they described as the reckless and malicious nature of the allegations.
The letter stated: “the publication goes far beyond fair comment, criticism or political discourse. Rather, it consists of grave allegations of criminality, corruption, abuse of office, bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice and official misconduct made without any lawful justification or supporting evidence.” Pinheiro LP further argued that the publication had seriously damaged the Chief of Staff’s reputation, exposed him to public ridicule and diminished public confidence in his office both within and outside Nigeria.
The solicitors criticised Adeyemi for taking his allegations to the media rather than presenting them before competent investigative or judicial authorities. The letter also linked the publication to an ongoing criminal prosecution before the Federal High Court, Abuja, where Adeyemi is facing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors.
According to the law firm, the charges involve allegations of forgery, including the alleged forgery of an appointment letter and presidential letter-headed documents purportedly showing an appointment by President Bola Tinubu. The legal team argued that several of the allegations raised during the press conference relate to issues already before the court.
“It is even more disturbing to our client that you resorted to defaming him through your press statements after a criminal charge had been filed against you. Trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.”
According to the letter, the publications generated widespread public attention, with political associates, friends and members of the public allegedly contacting Gbajabiamila to question his integrity. As part of the demands, Pinheiro LP instructed Adeyemi to immediately cease making or publishing further statements concerning the Chief of Staff and remove all press conference materials, transcripts, videos, recordings and related publications from every platform under his control.
The firm also requested that Adeyemi publish a full retraction and apology, acknowledging that the allegations were false and without factual basis. The apology, it said, must appear with equal prominence in at least five national newspapers, on every platform where the allegations were published and across all associated social media accounts. The solicitors warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would trigger legal proceedings without further notice.
According to the letter, the proposed action includes filing a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory, alongside civil proceedings seeking N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages. The firm said any damages awarded would be donated to charities chosen by Gbajabiamila. The proposed suit will also seek a perpetual injunction restraining further publications against the Chief of Staff and a mandatory court order compelling the publication of a retraction and apology.
