Gbajabiamila Seeks N10bn Against Adeyemi for 'Fake Agency' Scandal Allegations

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is demanding N10 billion in a defamation lawsuit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. This legal action comes after Adeyemi publicly accused Gbajabiamila of involvement in murder, bribery, and other criminal activities.

A letter dated July 6, 2026, from Pinheiro LP, Gbajabiamila’s legal representatives, and signed by ‘Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, was seen by The PUNCH. This letter was issued following a press conference held by Adeyemi on June 25. During the briefing, Adeyemi, who is currently facing criminal charges for allegedly operating a fictitious entity known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, claimed that the Chief of Staff demanded a portion of the council’s supposed take-off grant, received funds through intermediaries, misused his official position, and participated in covering up criminal acts. Adeyemi further labeled Gbajabiamila as “a murderer” and “an assassin” during the same event.

The legal notice instructs Adeyemi to remove all related content, including transcripts, videos, and audio recordings, from every platform. It also demands a comprehensive retraction and apology to be published in at least five national newspapers and across all social media channels where the press conference was disseminated. Additionally, Adeyemi is required to provide a written commitment to cease making further publications concerning Gbajabiamila.

Adeyemi is currently listed in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The charges include forgery, specifically forging an appointment letter with Gbajabiamila’s alleged signature and counterfeiting Presidential Letter-Headed Papers to falsely present himself as a government official.

The letter from Gbajabiamila's lawyers detailed nine specific accusations made by Adeyemi during the press conference. Adeyemi, who had claimed to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (an entity the Presidency has disavowed as fictitious), alleged that Gbajabiamila sought 48 percent of the council's supposed N27.4 billion take-off grant, amounting to approximately N12.5 billion. He also claimed Gbajabiamila received N400 million through proxies for appointments associated with the alleged council.

Other allegations from Adeyemi included Gbajabiamila’s supposed abuse of office to intimidate individuals and media outfits, his alleged knowing participation in fraudulent budget processes, attempts to improperly use security agencies, and potentially discharging official duties while under the influence of intoxicating substances.

Gbajabiamila’s lawyers described these nine allegations as “not only false but gravely defamatory,” asserting they were “designed to portray our client as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to occupy public office.”

In his defense, Gbajabiamila maintains he has never had any interaction with Adeyemi. “You have never at any time met, interacted with, communicated with, or had any form of personal or official dealing whatsoever with him,” the lawyers stated on behalf of the Chief of Staff. They added that the decision to “fabricate and publish allegations against a person with whom you have had absolutely no relationship or interaction underscores the reckless, baseless and malicious nature of your publication.”

The legal letter further highlighted the ongoing criminal proceedings against Adeyemi as an aggravating factor. “It is even more disturbing to our client that you resorted to defaming him through your press statements after a criminal Charge had been filed against you,” it noted, pointing out that the June 25 press conference allegations directly relate to the charges already before the court. The lawyers emphasized, “Trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.”

Adeyemi has been given a 72-hour window from the date of receiving the letter to comply with the demands. Failure to do so, the letter warns, will result in both criminal defamation proceedings under FCT law and a civil suit seeking N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages. These damages, if awarded, would be paid to a charity of Gbajabiamila’s choosing, alongside a perpetual injunction and a court order mandating the apology.

The Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) was listed in the 2026 Appropriation Act as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and received over N1.3 billion in budget allocations. This included approximately N803 million for personnel costs, N200 million for overhead, and N300 million for capital expenditure. Adeyemi had argued at his press conference that an agency appearing on pages 50 and 51 of a presidential-assented appropriation bill could not genuinely be non-existent. However, the Presidency continues to assert that the agency is fraudulent and does not exist.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has weighed in, arguing that the Presidency lacks the constitutional authority to absolve anyone in this matter and has called for an independent investigation into both Gbajabiamila and Adeyemi. Adeyemi is scheduled to appear in court on July 27, 2026.