Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew over allegations of bribery, abuse of office and official misconduct.
He filed the suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after Adeyemi publicly accused him of demanding a 48 per cent kickback from a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.
Gbajabiamila demands damages and apology
Through his legal team from Pinheiro LP, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Gbajabiamila described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
He asked the court to award ₦10 billion as general damages and ₦5 billion as aggravated damages.
The Chief of Staff also requested ₦200 million to cover the cost of the legal action.
In addition, he wants Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.
He further asked the court to order the defendant to pin the apology on every social media platform and online channel where the allegations appeared.
According to the suit, the apology should remain visible for 30 days.
Chief of Staff rejects bribery allegations
According to the court filings, Adeyemi alleged during a press conference that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s take-off grant.
He also claimed that ₦400 million had already been paid through an intermediary.
Adeyemi further alleged that another ₦200 million was needed to secure presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila denied every allegation contained in the statements.
He insisted that he had never met Adeyemi or communicated with him in any form.
He also maintained that he never authorised anyone to demand or receive money on his behalf.
“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.”
Suit highlights alleged contradictions
The lawsuit also referred to Adeyemi’s interview with social media influencer VeryDarkMan.
According to Gbajabiamila, Adeyemi admitted during the interview that he had never met him personally.
He also admitted that he never held a video call or carried out any independent verification of the person involved.
The Chief of Staff said Adeyemi acknowledged that all communications passed through the late Babatunde Tanimola.
He argued that those admissions directly contradicted the earlier allegations made during the press conference.
The suit also cited Adeyemi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on July 13, 2026.
According to the filing, Adeyemi repeated the allegations after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the claimant’s solicitors.
Criminal case already before court
The court documents also revealed that Adeyemi is facing criminal prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charges involve alleged forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters.
Gbajabiamila’s legal team argued that those documents formed the basis of Adeyemi’s public claims.
The Chief of Staff denied receiving money from Adeyemi, either directly or through any intermediary.
He also denied abusing his office or interfering with security agencies.
Gbajabiamila further denied influencing the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, the EFCC, the ICPC or any other law enforcement agency.
He equally denied any involvement in matters concerning the late Babatunde Tanimola.
He also denied any knowledge of the alleged attempts on Adeyemi’s life.
Court gives Adeyemi 14 days
According to the court documents, Gbajabiamila’s lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter on July 6, 2026.
They published the notice in several national newspapers on July 7. The letter demanded an immediate retraction and public apology.
Instead of withdrawing the allegations, Adeyemi allegedly granted additional media interviews and repeated the same claims.
The FCT High Court directed Adeyemi to enter an appearance within 14 days after receiving the court processes.
If Adeyemi fails to respond within the stipulated period, the court may enter judgment against him by default.
Gbajabiamila told the court that he deliberately avoided responding through the media because he believed the judiciary was the proper forum.
“The action was instituted not only to vindicate my personal reputation but also to protect the integrity and dignity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.”
The Chief of Staff urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought.
He expressed confidence that the evidence would support his claims and clear his name.
Read also: PFIPC case: Police arrest Adeyemi in Osun hideout
