The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened to file a ₦10 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged promoter of the disowned Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, over claims linking him to bribery, murder and other alleged criminal conduct.
The threat was contained in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, and issued through Gbajabiamila’s lawyers, Pinheiro LP, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
The letter gave Adeyemi 72 hours to withdraw the allegations, issue a public apology, delete all related videos and publications, and undertake not to make further defamatory statements against the Chief of Staff.
Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, had at a June 25 press conference accused Gbajabiamila of allegedly demanding a share of the purported council’s take-off grant, receiving money through proxies and participating in alleged criminal conduct.
He also reportedly linked the Chief of Staff to allegations of murder and cover-up.
But Gbajabiamila’s lawyers rejected the claims, describing them as false, malicious and damaging to his reputation.
According to the lawyers, Gbajabiamila has never met, interacted or had any official or personal dealing with Adeyemi.
They said the allegations were intended to portray the Chief of Staff as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable and unfit to occupy public office.
The lawyers also argued that Adeyemi resorted to what they described as “trial by media” after criminal proceedings had already been filed against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The letter demanded that Adeyemi remove all videos, transcripts, recordings and publications containing the allegations from all platforms under his control.
It also demanded that he publish a full and unreserved apology in at least five national newspapers and on all social media platforms where the allegations were circulated.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyers warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would lead to legal action, including a civil claim of ₦10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation and an application for a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making further defamatory statements.
They added that any damages recovered would be donated to charities chosen by Gbajabiamila.
In a public disclaimer issued on June 11, 2026, Gbajabiamila had warned the public, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, development partners and security agencies that the purported council did not exist under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and that no appointment had been made in favour of Adeyemi.
In a public disclaimer issued on June 11, 2026, Gbajabiamila had warned the public, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, development partners and security agencies that the purported council did not exist under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and that no appointment had been made in favour of Adeyemi.
The Presidency also accused Adeyemi of allegedly forging government documents, including an appointment letter bearing Gbajabiamila’s purported signature and presidential letter-headed papers, to present himself as a government official.
Adeyemi has since been listed as a defendant in a criminal charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations including forgery and impersonation.
He has denied wrongdoing, insisting that he has an appointment letter and that the matter should be investigated independently.
Adeyemi has also called on President Tinubu to set up an independent panel to examine both his allegations against Gbajabiamila and the circumstances surrounding the disputed council.
The controversy has also drawn reactions from human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, who earlier called for an independent investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, into both Gbajabiamila and Adeyemi.