Gbajabiamila Sues ‘Fake’ Agency DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi, for ₦15bn Over Defamation

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has escalated his legal battle with Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), by filing a massive ₦15 billion defamation suit.

The lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, follows grave public allegations made by Adeyemi. Adeyemi accused the presidential aide of corruption, abuse of office, and demanding a staggering 48 percent kickback from a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.

The Demands in Court

In the writ of summons filed by his legal team, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), alongside Folu Oguntade (SAN), Olukayode Enitan (SAN), and Chukwudi Enebeli (SAN), the Chief of Staff is seeking heavy financial and public retractions:

• General Damages: ₦10 billion for the immense damage caused to his local and international reputation.

• Aggravated Damages: ₦5 billion over the reckless and malicious nature of the public publications.

• Legal Costs: ₦200 million representing the total cost of instituting the action.

• Public Apology & Retraction: An order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and unreserved apology in five widely read national newspapers.

• Social Media Pin: An order directing the defendant to pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the allegations were shared for at least 30 days.

The Bribery and Murder Allegations

The legal showdown stems from a press conference addressed by Adeyemi on June 26, 2026. During the event, Adeyemi alleged that a major dispute arose after Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 percent cut of a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.

Adeyemi went on to claim that:

• A proxy acting on behalf of the Chief of Staff had already received ₦400 million.

• An additional ₦200 million was demanded to secure vital presidential approvals.

• He called for an official investigation into the mysterious death of one Babatunde Tanimola, whom he claimed had served as the intermediary between himself and Gbajabiamila before dying in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja, in October 2025.

Gbajabiamila has vehemently denied these claims on oath, insisting he has never met Adeyemi, authorized any proxy, or interfered with law enforcement agencies.

“The claimant has never met the defendant, never held any meeting with him and has never authorised any intermediary, representative, agent or proxy to demand or receive money on his behalf.” — Excerpt from Gbajabiamila’s Statement of Claim

The Fake Council Saga

The defamation suit is the climax of an ongoing dispute over the legitimacy of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The Presidency has repeatedly and publicly distanced itself from the body, maintaining that no such council exists under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and declaring Adeyemi a “fake” operator.

With the suit officially filed at the FCT High Court, all eyes will be on the judiciary as the legal teams prepare to clash over the high-profile allegations.

Ayodele Quadri

Correspondent