The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew over allegations linking him to an alleged demand for a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.
The suit, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeks N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, N200 million as legal costs, and an order compelling Adeyemi to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers.
Gbajabiamila is also asking the court to direct the defendant to display the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory claims were published for a period of 30 days.
The action was filed by his lawyers from Pinheiro LP, led by Kemi Pinheiro, alongside Folu Oguntade, Olukayode Enitan and Chukwudi Enebeli.
In the statement of claim, the legal team described the allegations made against Gbajabiamila as false, malicious and damaging to his reputation.
According to court documents, Adeyemi allegedly claimed during a press conference that a disagreement occurred after Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the N27.3 billion approved as a take-off grant for the agency.
Adeyemi was also alleged to have claimed that N400 million had already been paid through a proxy acting on behalf of the Chief of Staff, while another N200 million was required to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila denied the allegations, stating that he had never met Adeyemi, communicated with him, or authorised anyone to represent him in any financial dealings.
“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.
Gbajabiamila denies claims over Tanimola’s death
The suit also addressed allegations involving Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi reportedly identified as a middleman in his alleged dealings with the Chief of Staff.
Adeyemi was said to have alleged that Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, shortly after Gbajabiamila allegedly petitioned the police.
He further claimed that he survived an assassination attempt on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in September 2025 and alleged that a “directive from above” prevented the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force from recovering his stolen mobile phones, which he claimed contained evidence.
Gbajabiamila’s legal representatives had earlier issued a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, demanding that Adeyemi retract the allegations and issue an apology.
The letter was published in national newspapers on July 7, 2026.
However, the claimant alleged that Adeyemi failed to withdraw the claims and instead repeated them during a social media interview with influencer VeryDarkMan.
According to Gbajabiamila’s witness statement on oath, Adeyemi admitted during the interview that he had never met the Chief of Staff physically, never held a video conversation with him and had no independent way of confirming the identity of the person he believed was Gbajabiamila.
The claimant further stated that Adeyemi acknowledged that all communications were conducted through the late Tanimola.
Gbajabiamila also claimed that Adeyemi admitted he could not determine whether the Chief of Staff was telling the truth or lying and said he intended to present his documents to law enforcement agencies for verification.
Despite those statements, Gbajabiamila alleged that Adeyemi repeated the accusations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on July 13, 2026.
Chief of Staff denies corruption allegations
In his witness statement, Gbajabiamila maintained that he had never had any personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He denied demanding any kickback, receiving N400 million through an intermediary, requesting an additional N200 million, abusing his office, influencing security agencies, intimidating media organisations or interfering with investigations involving Adeyemi.
The Chief of Staff also denied instructing the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission or any other security agency to harass or investigate Adeyemi.
He further said he had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death or any alleged attempts on Adeyemi’s life.
Gbajabiamila told the court that his decades of public service had been built on integrity, honesty and commitment to duty.
While acknowledging that public officials are subject to scrutiny, he argued that the allegations against him amounted to accusations of corruption, bribery, abuse of office and criminal misconduct.
He said the repeated publication of the claims triggered widespread discussions and led to enquiries from associates and professional contacts in Nigeria and abroad, causing serious damage to his reputation.
The Chief of Staff explained that he chose not to engage in a public exchange over the allegations because he believed the court was the proper place to resolve the dispute.
He told the court that the case was filed not only to protect his personal reputation but also to defend the dignity and integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
The FCT High Court has ordered Adeyemi, whose address was listed as unknown but considered to be within the court’s jurisdiction, to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the court processes.
Failure to do so, the court held, could result in judgment being entered against him in default.
The claimant is asking the court to grant all reliefs sought, expressing confidence that the evidence presented will justify his claims.
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