Gbajabiamila Sues Adeyemi for N15bn Over Alleged Kickback Claims

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, over allegations linking him to a multi-billion-naira kickback scheme.

 

In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, N200 million as the cost of the action, and a court order compelling Adeyemi to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers and across all social media platforms where the allegations were made.

 

The legal action follows claims by Adeyemi that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency and received N400 million through a proxy, with an additional N200 million allegedly requested to facilitate presidential approvals.

 

Gbajabiamila, through his legal team led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory, insisting he had never met or communicated with Adeyemi or authorised anyone to act on his behalf.

 

“The claimant has never met the defendant, never held any meeting with him and has never authorised any intermediary, representative, agent or proxy to demand or receive money on his behalf,” the court filing stated.

 

The suit also addresses Adeyemi’s claims regarding the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he alleged acted as an intermediary, as well as claims of an assassination attempt and alleged interference by security agencies.

 

According to the court documents, Gbajabiamila’s lawyers had earlier issued a cease-and-desist letter on July 6, 2026, demanding a retraction and apology. Instead, Adeyemi allegedly repeated the allegations during interviews, including one with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and another on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

 

Gbajabiamila argued that during one of the interviews, Adeyemi admitted he had never met him, never held a video call with him and could not independently verify the identity of the person he believed was the Chief of Staff.

 

The court filings further revealed that Adeyemi is currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations involving forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters, which the claimant said formed the basis of the disputed allegations.

 

Gbajabiamila denied demanding any kickback, receiving money through proxies, influencing security agencies or having any involvement in the death of Tanimola or the alleged attack on Adeyemi.

 

He told the court that the allegations had damaged his reputation, generated widespread public discussion and prompted enquiries from associates within and outside Nigeria.

 

The Chief of Staff said the suit was filed to protect both his personal reputation and 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 after being served with the court processes or risk judgment being entered against him.