Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), over allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a ₦27.3 billion federal agency take-off grant. Gbajabiamila described the claims as false, malicious and damaging to his reputation.
The legal battle surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has entered a new phase as President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, heads to court in a bid to clear his name.
Gbajabiamila has instituted a ₦15 billion defamation suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, accusing him of making false allegations that linked him to an alleged multi-billion-naira kickback scheme.
The lawsuit stems from allegations made by Adeyemi during a press conference and subsequent television appearances.
According to court documents, Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency. He further claimed that ₦400 million had already been paid through an intermediary, while another ₦200 million was allegedly required to facilitate presidential approvals.
In his statement of claim, Gbajabiamila flatly denied every allegation.
The Chief of Staff maintained that he has never met, spoken with or authorised Adeyemi—or anyone acting on his behalf—to demand or receive money connected with any government approval.
His legal team described the allegations as “false, malicious and defamatory,” arguing that they were deliberately designed to damage both his personal reputation and the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Beyond denying the allegations, Gbajabiamila is asking the court to award substantial damages.
According to the suit, he is seeking:
- ₦10 billion in general damages.
- ₦5 billion in aggravated damages.
- ₦200 million as the cost of litigation.
- A court order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.
- An order directing him to pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the allegations were published for 30 days.
The civil action comes as Adeyemi is already facing separate criminal proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He is standing trial over allegations involving forged presidential documents, forged appointment letters and related offences connected with the controversial PFIPC, which the Presidency has repeatedly disowned.
Court filings also referenced statements allegedly made by Adeyemi acknowledging that he had never personally met Gbajabiamila and relied largely on information conveyed through an intermediary.
Legal observers say the case could become one of Nigeria’s most closely watched defamation suits this year because it combines allegations of corruption, impersonation and forged government documents.
The outcome may also shape ongoing investigations into the PFIPC controversy, which has already attracted the attention of anti-corruption agencies and generated significant public debate.
For Gbajabiamila, the lawsuit is aimed not only at protecting his personal reputation but also safeguarding public confidence in the Presidency. Whether the court ultimately upholds the claims for damages will depend on the evidence presented as the case proceeds through Nigeria’s judicial process.