Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened to institute legal proceedings against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi over allegations linking him to bribery, corruption, murder and other criminal activities, demanding N10 billion in damages for defamation.
The threat was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026, issued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kemi Pinheiro, on behalf of Pinheiro LP, legal representatives of the Chief of Staff.
According to the letter, statements made by Adeyemi during a press conference and subsequently circulated across print, electronic and social media platforms were described as false, malicious, reckless and completely devoid of factual basis.
The legal team argued that the allegations were deliberately crafted to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, violent and unfit to hold public office.
The lawyers specifically challenged claims that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 percent of the alleged take-off grant of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), received N400 million through proxies in connection with appointments within the organisation, and abused his office to intimidate individuals and media organisations.
They also rejected allegations that he participated in fraudulent government processes relating to the national budget, misused security agencies, engaged in corrupt practices, acted under the influence of intoxicating substances while performing official duties, and was involved in murder, assassination and a criminal cover-up.
“These allegations are not only false but are gravely defamatory. They plainly convey to ordinary, reasonable members of society that our client is corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, unfit for public office, violent, dangerous and undeserving of public trust,” the letter stated.
Gbajabiamila’s legal team demanded that Adeyemi, within 72 hours of receiving the letter, cease making or publishing further defamatory statements, remove the disputed press conference and related materials from all platforms under his control, and issue a full, unequivocal and unreserved retraction and apology.
The lawyers further insisted that the apology be published with the same prominence as the original allegations in at least five national newspapers, across all platforms where the statements were circulated, and on every social media account used to disseminate them.
They also requested a written undertaking guaranteeing that no further defamatory statements would be made against their client.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave the legal team with no option but to commence both civil and criminal proceedings.
According to the lawyers, the proposed action would include a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the laws of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as a civil suit seeking N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages. They added that any damages awarded would be donated to charities chosen by Gbajabiamila.
In addition, the legal team said it would seek a perpetual injunction restraining further defamatory publications and a court order compelling Adeyemi to publish a retraction and apology.
The development follows a June 25 press conference during which Adeyemi accused the Chief of Staff of attempting to secure a share of the alleged take-off funds of the PFIPC, receiving money through intermediaries, abusing his office and participating in efforts to conceal wrongdoing.
