Gbajabiamila Gives Adeyemi 72 Hours to Retract Allegations, Demands N10bn Damages

Chief of Staff to the President, Olufemi Gbajabiamila, has given Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi 72 hours to withdraw what he described as false and defamatory allegations made against him during a widely circulated press conference or face both civil and criminal legal action.

Gbajabiamila, through his solicitors, Pinheiro LP, is also demanding a public apology, the removal of the alleged defamatory publications from all media platforms, and a written undertaking that no further allegations would be made against him.

The demands were contained in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, and signed by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) on behalf of the law firm.

According to the letter, the Chief of Staff’s attention was drawn to a press conference addressed by Adeyemi on June 25, 2026, which was subsequently circulated across print, electronic and social media platforms.

The solicitors alleged that the publication contained “numerous statements which are not only false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” adding that they were intended to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to hold public office.

Among the allegations cited were claims that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the alleged take-off grant of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), received N400 million through proxies in connection with appointments into the organisation, manipulated security agencies, influenced the budget process, intimidated individuals and media organisations, acted under the influence of intoxicating substances while performing official duties, engaged in corruption and abuse of office, and was involved in murder and an alleged cover-up.

Pinheiro LP described the allegations as entirely false, malicious and unsupported by any evidence.

The law firm further stated that Gbajabiamila had never met, communicated with or maintained any personal or official relationship with Adeyemi, arguing that the absence of any prior interaction demonstrated the reckless nature of the publication.

“The publication goes far beyond fair comment, criticism or political discourse. Rather, it consists of grave allegations of criminality, corruption, abuse of office, bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice and official misconduct made without any lawful justification or supporting evidence,” the letter stated.

According to the solicitors, the publication had seriously damaged the Chief of Staff’s reputation, exposed him to public ridicule and contempt, diminished public confidence in his office, and caused significant reputational harm within and outside Nigeria.

The law firm also criticised Adeyemi for taking the allegations to the media instead of presenting them before competent investigative or judicial authorities.

Pinheiro LP further noted that Adeyemi is currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, over allegations bordering on forgery, including the alleged forgery of an appointment letter and presidential letter-headed papers purportedly showing that he had been appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

According to the solicitors, several of the allegations made during the press conference relate to issues already before the court.

“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,” the letter stated, adding that “trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.”

The law firm said the publication had attracted widespread public attention, with friends, political associates and members of the public contacting the Chief of Staff over the allegations and questioning his integrity.

As part of its demands, Pinheiro LP directed Adeyemi to immediately cease and desist from making or publishing any further defamatory statements concerning Gbajabiamila.

It also demanded the removal of the offending press conference, transcripts, videos, recordings and all related publications from every platform under Adeyemi’s control.

In addition, the solicitors insisted that Adeyemi publish a full, unequivocal and unreserved retraction and apology acknowledging that the allegations were false, defamatory and without factual basis.According to the letter, the apology must be published with equal prominence in at least five national newspapers, on every platform where the allegations were published, and across all social media accounts through which they were disseminated.

The law firm also requested a written undertaking that no further defamatory statements would be made against the Chief of Staff.

Pinheiro LP warned that failure to comply with the demands within 72 hours would leave its client with no option but to institute legal proceedings without further notice.

According to the letter, the proposed action would include a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as a civil suit seeking N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, which the firm said would be donated to charities of Gbajabiamila’s choice.

The proposed suit will also seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making further defamatory publications and a mandatory order compelling him to publish a retraction and public apology.