GBAJABIAMILA DRAGS ADEYEMI TO COURT OVER DEFAMATORY ALLEGATIONS

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, over allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.

In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, N200 million as the cost of litigation, and an order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.

He is also asking the court to direct the defendant to pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements were published for 30 days.

The case was filed by the law firm Pinheiro LP, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, alongside Folu Oguntade, Olukayode Enitan, and Chukwudi Enebeli, who described the allegations as false, malicious, and defamatory.

According to court documents, Adeyemi had alleged during a press conference that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s take-off grant and claimed that N400 million had already been paid through an intermediary, while an additional N200 million was required to secure presidential approvals.

Gbajabiamila, however, denied the allegations, insisting he had never met, spoken with, or authorised Adeyemi or any intermediary to demand or receive money on his behalf.

The suit also addressed Adeyemi’s claims regarding the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he alleged acted as a middleman between him and the Chief of Staff.

Adeyemi further claimed he survived an assassination attempt in September 2025 and alleged that security agencies were directed to discontinue investigations into the theft of his mobile phones, which he claimed contained vital evidence.

Gbajabiamila’s legal team stated that a cease-and-desist letter demanding a retraction and apology was issued on July 6, 2026, and published in national newspapers the following day.

Instead of withdrawing the allegations, the claimant alleged that Adeyemi granted an interview to social media influencer VeryDarkMan, during which he admitted he had never met Gbajabiamila, never held a video conversation with him, and could not independently verify the identity of the person he believed to be the Chief of Staff.

According to the court filings, Adeyemi also admitted that all his communications were conducted through the late Tanimola and acknowledged that he could neither confirm nor deny whether Gbajabiamila was telling the truth.

Despite those admissions, Gbajabiamila alleged that Adeyemi repeated the allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on July 13, 2026.

The claimant further informed the court that Adeyemi is currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations involving forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters, which allegedly formed the basis of his claims.

The FCT High Court has directed Adeyemi to enter an appearance within 14 days after being served with the court processes or risk judgment being entered against him in default.

In his witness statement, Gbajabiamila denied demanding any kickback, receiving money through proxies, abusing his office, interfering with security agencies, intimidating media organisations, or influencing investigations involving Adeyemi.

He also denied any involvement in the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death or the alleged attempts on Adeyemi’s life.

Gbajabiamila told the court that he had built his reputation over decades of public service on integrity and professionalism, arguing that the allegations amounted to false accusations of corruption, bribery, abuse of office, and other criminal conduct.

He maintained that the publications caused significant reputational damage and public scrutiny but said he deliberately chose to seek redress through the courts rather than engage in a media confrontation.

The Chief of Staff urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought, stating that the legal action was necessary to protect both his personal reputation and the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.