Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.
In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, and N200 million as the cost of the action.
He is also asking the court to compel Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.
The Chief of Staff further requested an order directing the defendant to pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements were published for 30 days.
The legal action, filed by Gbajabiamila’s counsel from Pinheiro LP, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, Folu Oguntade, Olukayode Enitan and Chukwudi Enebeli, described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
According to the statement of claim, Adeyemi had alleged during a press conference that a dispute arose after Gbajabiamila purportedly demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for the agency.
Adeyemi also claimed that N400 million had already been paid through an intermediary allegedly acting on behalf of the Chief of Staff, while an additional N200 million was required to secure presidential approvals.
However, Gbajabiamila denied ever meeting or communicating with 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, representative, agent or proxy to demand or receive money on his behalf,” the court filing stated.
The suit also referenced allegations made by Adeyemi regarding the death of one Babatunde Tanimola, whom he claimed served as an intermediary between him and the Chief of Staff.
According to Adeyemi, Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, a day after Gbajabiamila allegedly petitioned the police.
He further alleged that he survived an assassination attempt along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in September 2025 and claimed that security agencies were directed to discontinue efforts to recover his stolen mobile phones, which allegedly contained evidence.
Court documents revealed that Gbajabiamila’s solicitors issued a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, and published in national newspapers on July 7, demanding an immediate retraction and apology.
Instead of withdrawing the allegations, the claimant alleged that Adeyemi granted an interview to social media influencer VeryDarkMan, during which he admitted that he had never met Gbajabiamila physically, held a video call with him, or independently verified the identity of the person he believed to be the Chief of Staff.
According to Gbajabiamila’s witness statement on oath, Adeyemi admitted that all his communications were conducted through the late Tanimola and that he could neither confirm nor deny whether the Chief of Staff was involved.
Despite those admissions, Gbajabiamila alleged that Adeyemi repeated the claims during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television on July 13, 2026.
The court filings further disclosed that Adeyemi is currently facing trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Others, over allegations bordering on forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters.
According to the claimant, those documents formed the basis of Adeyemi’s public accusations.
The FCT High Court has directed Adeyemi, whose address was listed as unknown but deemed to be within the court’s jurisdiction, to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the originating processes, failing which judgment may be entered against him.
In his witness statement, Gbajabiamila denied demanding any kickback, receiving N400 million through a proxy, requesting an additional N200 million, manipulating security agencies or interfering with investigations involving Adeyemi.
He also denied instructing the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission or any other law enforcement agency to harass or investigate the defendant.
The Chief of Staff further denied any knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death or the alleged attempts on Adeyemi’s life.
Gbajabiamila told the court that he had built his reputation over decades of public service on integrity, honesty and fidelity to duty, stressing that the allegations amounted to false accusations of corruption, bribery and abuse of office.
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He argued that the repeated publication of the allegations had generated widespread public discussion and enquiries from associates and professional colleagues within and outside Nigeria, causing significant damage to his reputation.
Gbajabiamila added that he deliberately avoided engaging in a media confrontation because he considered the court the appropriate forum to resolve the dispute.
He said the suit was filed not only to protect his personal reputation but also to preserve the integrity and dignity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
The development comes barely a day after Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State by a special police team from the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
