Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened legal action against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, demanding ₦10 billion in damages over allegations linking him to murder, bribery and other criminal acts.
The threat was conveyed in a letter dated July 6, 2026, signed by Kemi Pinheiro on behalf of Pinheiro LP, Gbajabiamila’s legal representatives.
The dispute stems from a press conference held by Adeyemi on June 25, during which he accused the Chief of Staff of demanding a share of the alleged take off grant of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), receiving money through proxies, abusing his office and participating in what he described as a criminal cover up.
Adeyemi, who is facing criminal charges over his alleged involvement in operating the PFIPC, also referred to Gbajabiamila as “a murderer” and “an assassin” during the briefing.
In response, Gbajabiamila’s lawyers demanded that Adeyemi immediately remove all videos, recordings and transcripts of the press conference from every platform where they were published.
The legal team also asked him to issue a full retraction and apology in at least five national newspapers and across all social media platforms where the allegations were circulated, as well as provide a written undertaking not to make similar statements in future.
The letter noted that Adeyemi is already standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, over allegations including forgery.
According to the charges, Adeyemi allegedly forged an appointment letter bearing Gbajabiamila’s purported signature and counterfeited presidential letter headed documents to present himself as a government official.
The lawyers identified nine allegations made against the Chief of Staff during the June 25 briefing.
Among them were claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the council’s alleged ₦27.4 billion take off grant, amounting to about ₦12.5 billion, received ₦400 million through proxies in connection with appointments, intimidated individuals and media organisations, manipulated budget processes, sought to misuse security agencies and may have carried out official duties while under the influence of intoxicating substances.
The legal team described all the allegations as entirely false.
They said the claims were “not only false but gravely defamatory,” adding that they were “designed to portray our client as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to occupy public office.”
Gbajabiamila also denied ever having any relationship with Adeyemi.
READ ALSO: Video Of Alleged ‘Fake’ Agency DG Confronting Gbajabiamila Resurfaces
“You have never at any time met, interacted with, communicated with, or had any form of personal or official dealing whatsoever with him,” the lawyers wrote on behalf of the Chief of Staff to the President, adding that the decision to “fabricate and publish allegations against a person with whom you have had absolutely no relationship or interaction underscores the reckless, baseless and malicious nature of your publication.”
The letter further argued that the allegations were made after criminal charges had already been filed against Adeyemi.
“It is even more disturbing to our client that you resorted to defaming him through your press statements after a criminal Charge had been filed against you,” it stated, noting that the June 25 press conference allegations directly touch on the counts already before the court.
“Trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process,” the lawyers added.
The legal team gave Adeyemi 72 hours from receipt of the letter to comply with the demands.
It warned that failure to do so would lead to criminal defamation proceedings under the laws of the Federal Capital Territory, alongside a civil suit seeking ₦10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages.
According to the letter, the damages would be paid to a charity selected by Gbajabiamila if awarded by the court.
The lawyers also said they would seek a perpetual injunction restraining further defamatory publications and a court order compelling the publication of an apology.
The PFIPC appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act under the title Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and received more than ₦1.3 billion in budgetary allocations.
The allocation included about ₦803 million for personnel costs, ₦200 million for overheads and ₦300 million for capital expenditure.
Adeyemi argued during the June 25 press conference that an organisation listed in a budget signed into law by the President could not be regarded as non existent.
The Presidency, however, maintains that the PFIPC is fictitious and has no legal existence.
Adeyemi is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court on July 27, 2026.