The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a ₦15 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 ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.
In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, ₦200 million as the cost of the action, and an order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.
He is also asking the court to direct the defendant to pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements were published for 30 days.
According to court documents filed by Gbajabiamila’s legal team, the defendant allegedly claimed during a press conference that the Chief of Staff demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.
Adeyemi also alleged that ₦400 million had already been paid through a proxy purportedly acting on behalf of the Chief of Staff, while an additional ₦200 million was required to secure presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila denied the allegations, insisting he had never met, spoken with, or authorised anyone to act on his behalf in relation to Adeyemi.
He maintained that he had no personal, official or professional relationship with the defendant and had never demanded or received any money through an intermediary.
The suit further stated that Gbajabiamila’s lawyers had earlier issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding an immediate retraction and apology. However, they alleged that instead of withdrawing the claims, Adeyemi repeated the allegations in subsequent media appearances.
According to the claimant, Adeyemi later admitted during an online interview that he had never met the Chief of Staff in person, never held a video call with him and had no independent means of confirming the identity of the person he believed to be Gbajabiamila.
The claimant argued that despite those admissions, the defendant continued to publicly repeat the allegations.
Gbajabiamila also told the court that the allegations had caused significant damage to his reputation, generated widespread public discussion and prompted enquiries from associates both within and outside Nigeria.
He denied demanding any kickback, receiving money through a proxy, abusing his office, manipulating security agencies, intimidating media organisations or interfering with investigations involving the defendant.
The Chief of Staff further denied any knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual identified as Babatunde Tanimola or the alleged attempts on Adeyemi’s life.
Gbajabiamila said he chose not to engage in a public media exchange over the allegations because he believed the matter should be resolved through the courts.
He added that the suit was filed not only to protect his personal reputation but also to safeguard the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
The FCT High Court has directed Adeyemi to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the court processes, failing which judgment may be entered against him in default.
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