Gbajabiamila threatens ₦10bn defamation suit against alleged PFIPC convener

Gbajabiamila threatens ₦10bn defamation suit against alleged PFIPC convener

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, has threatened to initiate legal proceedings against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, demanding N10 billion in damages. The threat follows a series of allegations linking the presidential aide to murder, bribery, corruption, and abuse of office.

The demand was detailed in a letter dated July 6, 2026, issued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro of Pinheiro LP. The legal team has given Adeyemi a 72-hour window from the receipt of the letter to comply with several demands or face litigation. These demands include the immediate cessation of defamatory statements, the removal of all related videos, recordings, and transcripts from all platforms, and a full retraction and apology published in at least five national newspapers and across all social media channels used to spread the claims.

The conflict stems from a June 25 press conference held by Adeyemi. During the briefing, Adeyemi accused Gbajabiamila of demanding 48 per cent of a purported N27.4 billion take-off grant for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a sum estimated at roughly N12.5 billion. Adeyemi further alleged that the Chief of Staff received N400 million through proxies connected to appointments within the organization. In a more severe escalation, Adeyemi described Gbajabiamila as a murderer and an assassin.

Gbajabiamila’s lawyers rejected these claims as entirely false and gravely defamatory, asserting they were designed to portray the Chief of Staff as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to occupy public office. The legal team also dismissed allegations that Gbajabiamila manipulated budget processes, intimidated media organizations, misused security agencies, or performed duties while under the influence of intoxicating substances.

A central point of contention is the existence of the PFIPC. The Presidency maintains that the council is a fictitious organization with no legal basis. However, the 2026 Appropriation Act lists the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council with budgetary allocations exceeding N1.3 billion. This total includes approximately N803 million for personnel, N300 million for capital expenditure, and N200 million for overhead costs. Adeyemi argued during his press conference that an agency listed in a budget signed into law by the President cannot be non-existent.

The legal representatives for Gbajabiamila stated that the Chief of Staff has never met, interacted, or had any personal or official dealings with Adeyemi. They argued that fabricating claims against someone with whom there has been no interaction demonstrates the reckless, baseless and malicious nature of the accusations.

Simultaneously, Adeyemi is facing criminal prosecution in the Federal High Court in Abuja under Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors. The eight-count charge involves conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation allegedly committed between 2024 and 2025. According to the charge sheet, Adeyemi forged an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and signed by Gbajabiamila. The prosecution further alleges that Adeyemi used presidential insignia and official seals to present himself as the Director-General of the fictitious PFIPC.

Police investigators report that Adeyemi used this false identity to hold meetings with foreign nationals and write to government institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to seek diplomatic assistance for U.S. Entry visas for purported staff. Adeyemi was arrested on October 27, 2025, following search warrants executed at his residence and office in Suleja, Niger State.

Gbajabiamila’s lawyers argued that the timing of Adeyemi's press conference was an attempt to influence public opinion while a criminal case was pending, stating that trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process. If a civil suit is filed, any damages awarded would be donated to a charity selected by Gbajabiamila.

The dispute has also drawn the attention of human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who argued that the Presidency does not have the constitutional authority to exonerate parties in the matter and called for an independent investigation into both Gbajabiamila and Adeyemi.

Adeyemi is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 27, 2026, as the criminal proceedings continue.