By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeniyi Adeyemi over allegations linking him to murder, bribery and corruption.
In a letter issued through his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Gbajabiamila gave Adeyemi 72 hours to delete all videos, posts and comments containing the allegations, publish a public apology and issue a full retraction in at least five national newspapers and across his social media platforms.
The legal team describes the claims as “malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” arguing that they were deliberately made to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, morally bankrupt and a murderer.
The letter further demands that Adeyemi immediately cease making or publishing any defamatory statements and provide a written undertaking that he would not repeat the allegations.
It warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would trigger both civil and criminal legal proceedings.
According to the notice, Gbajabiamila intends to file a criminal defamation complaint under applicable FCT laws and seek ₦10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, which his lawyers said would be donated to charities of his choice.
The suit will also seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making further defamatory statements, alongside a court order compelling him to publish an apology and retraction.
The dispute is tied to claims surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Last month, the Presidency stated that the council does not exist, despite Adeyemi’s insistence that Gbajabiamila appointed him as its Director-General.
At a press conference in June, Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million from him through an intermediary and later demanded an additional ₦200 million to facilitate the appointment. He also called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he identified as the intermediary, while claiming that his own life was under threat.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have charged Adeyemi with allegedly forging several government documents, including a presidential appointment letter. He has denied the charges, maintaining that his appointment was genuine.
Speaking on National television, Adeyemi said he was prepared to defend himself in court.
“If I’m wrong, let the court of law do that, and if I’m right, let the court of law do that,” he said, while rejecting claims that he is a fraudster.
