ABUJA — Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has given Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi 72 hours to retract what he described as false and defamatory allegations made against him during a widely circulated press conference or face both civil and criminal legal action.
Through his solicitors, Pinheiro LP, Gbajabiamila is also demanding a public apology, the removal of the alleged defamatory publications from all media and digital platforms, and a written undertaking that no further defamatory statements will be made against him.
The demands are contained in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, signed by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) on behalf of the law firm.
According to the letter, the Chief of Staff’s attention was drawn to a press conference addressed by Adeyemi on June 25, 2026, which was subsequently circulated across print, broadcast and social media platforms.
The solicitors alleged that the publication contained “numerous statements which are not only false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” adding that the allegations were intended to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, unfit for public office and even implicated in murder.
Among the allegations identified in the letter were claims that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the alleged take-off grant of an organisation described as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC); received N400 million through proxies in connection with appointments into the organisation; abused his office to intimidate individuals and media organisations; manipulated budgetary processes and security agencies; acted under the influence of intoxicating substances while performing official duties; engaged in corruption, abuse of office and other criminal conduct; and participated in murder and an alleged cover-up.
Pinheiro LP described the allegations as entirely false, baseless and defamatory, insisting that they were unsupported by any credible evidence.
The law firm further stated that Gbajabiamila had never met, communicated with, or maintained any personal or official relationship with Adeyemi, arguing that the absence of any prior interaction underscored the reckless and malicious nature of the allegations.
“The publication goes far beyond fair comment, criticism or political discourse. Rather, it consists of grave allegations of criminality, corruption, abuse of office, bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice and official misconduct made without any lawful justification or supporting evidence,” the solicitors stated.
According to the letter, the publication has caused substantial reputational damage, exposed the Chief of Staff to public ridicule and contempt, and undermined public confidence in both his office and his person.
The solicitors also criticised Adeyemi for taking the allegations to the media instead of presenting them before competent investigative or judicial authorities.
Pinheiro LP further linked the publication to an ongoing criminal prosecution involving Adeyemi before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the letter, Adeyemi is standing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, over allegations bordering on forgery, including the alleged forgery of an appointment letter and presidential letterhead purportedly showing that he had been appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
The law firm argued that several of the allegations raised during the press conference relate to matters already before the court.
“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,” the letter stated, adding that “trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.”
According to the solicitors, the publication generated widespread public attention, prompting friends, associates and members of the public to contact Gbajabiamila over the allegations and question his integrity.
As part of its demands, Pinheiro LP directed Adeyemi to immediately cease and desist from making or publishing any further defamatory statements concerning the Chief of Staff.
The firm also demanded the immediate removal of the press conference, transcripts, videos, recordings and all related publications from every platform under his control.
In addition, it insisted that Adeyemi publish a full, unequivocal and unreserved retraction and apology acknowledging that the allegations were false, defamatory and without factual basis.
According to the letter, the apology must be published with equal prominence in at least five national newspapers, on every platform where the allegations appeared, and across all social media accounts through which they were disseminated.
The solicitors also requested a written undertaking that no further defamatory statements would be made against their client.
Pinheiro LP warned that failure to comply with the demands within 72 hours would leave its client with no option but to commence legal proceedings without further notice.
According to the letter, the proposed action will include the filing of a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory.
The firm further disclosed that the civil action would seek, among other reliefs, N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, which it said would be donated to a charity or charities of Gbajabiamila’s choice.
The suit will also seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making any further defamatory publications against the Chief of Staff, as well as a mandatory order compelling him to publish a retraction and public apology.