Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 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 sues Adeyemi for 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 and pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements appeared for 30 consecutive days.
The legal action was filed by his counsel from Pinheiro LP, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, alongside Folu Oguntade (SAN), Olukayode Enitan (SAN), and Chukwudi Enebeli (SAN), who described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
According to the court documents, Adeyemi had alleged during a press conference that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s N27.3 billion take-off grant. He further claimed that N400 million had already been paid through a proxy allegedly acting for the Chief of Staff, while another N200 million was required to secure presidential approvals.
However, the claimant categorically denied the allegations, insisting he had never met Adeyemi, communicated with him, or 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,” the court filing stated.
The suit also addressed Adeyemi’s claims regarding the late Babatunde Tanimola, whom he alleged acted as an intermediary between him and the Chief of Staff.
Adeyemi had claimed that Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, a day after Gbajabiamila allegedly petitioned the police. He also alleged he survived an assassination attempt along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in September 2025 and claimed security agencies were directed to halt efforts to recover his stolen mobile phones, which he said contained vital evidence.
According to the court documents, Gbajabiamila’s solicitors had earlier issued a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, demanding an immediate retraction and apology. The letter was published in THISDAY and other national newspapers on July 7.
Rather than withdraw the allegations, the claimant alleged that Adeyemi later granted an interview to social media influencer VeryDarkMan, where he admitted he had never met Gbajabiamila in person, never held a video call with him, and had no independent means of verifying the identity of the individual he believed was the Chief of Staff.
Gbajabiamila further stated that Adeyemi admitted all communications were conducted through the late Tanimola and acknowledged that he could neither confirm nor deny whether the Chief of Staff was telling the truth, adding that he intended to submit his documents to law enforcement agencies for verification.
Despite those admissions, the claimant alleged that Adeyemi repeated the accusations during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television on July 13, 2026.
The court filing also disclosed that Adeyemi is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a criminal case involving allegations of forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters, which Gbajabiamila said formed the basis of the public allegations against him.
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 after being served with the originating processes or risk judgment being entered against him.
In his witness statement, Gbajabiamila sues Adeyemi while maintaining that he never demanded any kickback, received N400 million through any proxy, requested an additional N200 million, manipulated security agencies, intimidated media organisations, or interfered in any investigation involving the defendant.
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 Adeyemi.
The Chief of Staff equally 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 dedication to duty, arguing that the allegations falsely portrayed him as corrupt and abusive of office.
He added that the widespread publication of the allegations triggered public debate and enquiries from associates both within and outside Nigeria, causing significant reputational damage.
According to him, he deliberately avoided engaging in a media exchange because he believed the judiciary remained the appropriate forum to resolve the dispute.
He urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought, stating that the action was filed to protect not only his personal reputation but also the integrity and dignity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
Meanwhile, Adeyemi was arrested on Tuesday in Osun State by a special force from the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
