Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, has filed a defamation suit against the self-styled director-general of the allegedly fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, seeking a total of N15 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements.
The suit, filed before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, also seeks a court order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers, in addition to N200 million as the cost of the action.
In a Writ of Summons filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Suit No: CU/3179/26) dated July 15, 2026, Gbajabiamila’s legal team, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, is asking the court for a declaration that statements made during a June 2026 press conference by the defendant are libellous and have unlawfully injured Gbajabiamila’s reputation as a high-ranking public official.
The lawsuit follows a widely circulated press conference held by Prince Adeniyi on June 25, 2026, entitled “Press Conference Address by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew”. The claimant alleges that the defendant used various media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, to broadcast categorical assertions of fact that portrayed him as a corrupt and dishonest public officer.
According to the statement of claim, Prince Adeniyi allegedly accused the Chief of Staff of: Demanding 48% of a N27.3 billion take-off grant for a purported government agency. Receiving a N400 million bribe by proxy to secure a political appointment. Being involved in the “mysterious” death of one Mr Babatunde Tanimola, described as an intermediary between the two parties. Abusing his office to intimidate individuals and media houses. Misleading the President into signing documents for a “fake agency” that found its way into the 2026 appropriation budget.
Gbajabiamila has vehemently denied these claims, stating under oath that he has never met the defendant, never held any meetings with him, and has never requested or received any financial benefits from him.
The court documents reveal that on July 6, 2026, Gbajabiamila’s solicitors issued a Cease-and-Desist Letter demanding an immediate retraction and apology, which was published in ThisDay and Vanguard newspapers. Rather than complying, the defendant reportedly granted further interviews to social media personality “VeryDarkMan” and appeared on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, where he maintained his narrative.
The Chief of Staff is seeking the following from the court: N10 billion in general damages to be paid to charities of his choice. N5 billion in aggravated damages due to the defendant’s persistent conduct. An order for a full retraction and apology** to be published in five national newspapers. A perpetual injunction** restraining the defendant from further publishing defamatory statements against him.
The claimant’s legal team also noted that at the time of the defamatory publication, Prince Adeniyi was already facing criminal charges (Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026) at the Federal High Court bordering on the forgery of presidential documents and appointment letters.
The case has been supported by witness statements from other prominent figures, including Rt. Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid and Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, both former members of the House of Representatives, who testified to the damage the publications have caused to Gbajabiamila’s professional standing.
