The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against 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.
According to court documents, Gbajabiamila is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, ₦200 million as the cost of the action, and an order directing the defendant to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers. He also wants the apology pinned across all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements were published for 30 days.
The suit followed claims by Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, alleging that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s take-off grant. He further alleged that ₦400 million had been paid through a proxy on behalf of the Chief of Staff, while an additional ₦200 million was required to secure presidential approvals.
Adeyemi also made claims relating to the death of an intermediary, Babatunde Tanimola, and alleged attempts on his life, as well as interference by security agencies in the matter.
However, Gbajabiamila, in his witness statement on oath, described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory. He maintained that he had never met the defendant or had any personal, official or professional dealings with him.
The Chief of Staff also denied demanding or receiving any money, abusing his office, influencing law enforcement agencies, or having any involvement in the matters surrounding the late Tanimola or the alleged attacks on the defendant.
According to the court filings, Gbajabiamila’s solicitors had earlier issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding the withdrawal of the allegations and a public apology. He alleged that instead of retracting the claims, the defendant continued to repeat them in media interviews, including appearances with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The FCT High Court has directed the defendant to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the court processes or risk judgment being entered against him in default.
