By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a defamation suit in the tune of 15 billion Naira against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking N10 billion in general damages and N5 billion in aggravated damages over allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC by Adeyemi.
The Chief of Staff is also asking the court to order Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers, and to pin the same apology on all social media and online platforms where the statements were published for 30 days.
He is also demanding N200 million as cost of the action.The suit, filed by his legal team from Pinheiro LP led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
What Adeyemi Alleged
According to the statement of claim, Adeyemi alleged during a press conference that a dispute arose after Gbajabiamila demanded the kickback. He also claimed N400 million had been paid through a proxy, with an additional N200 million required for presidential approvals. Adeyemi further alleged the death of an intermediary, Babatunde Tanimola, in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, and claimed he survived an assassination attempt in September 2025.
Gbajabiamila’s Denial
In court documents, Gbajabiamila denied ever meeting Adeyemi or authorising anyone to act on his behalf. “The claimant has never met the defendant, never held any meeting with him and has never authorised any intermediary to demand or receive money on his behalf,” the filing stated.
He also denied any involvement in Tanimola’s death, alleged assassination attempts, or interference with security agencies.The Chief of Staff said the allegations have damaged his reputation built over decades of public service and prompted enquiries from colleagues within and outside Nigeria.
Court records show Gbajabiamila’s lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter on July 6, 2026, but Adeyemi went ahead to repeat the claims on Channels TV’s Politics Today on July 13, 2026.
Documents also revealed Adeyemi is already standing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026 over alleged forgery of presidential documents.The FCT High Court has ordered Adeyemi to enter appearance within 14 days of service.
