Chief of Staff demands retraction of murder and bribery allegations within 72 hours; defamation threat intensifies PFIPC scandal
Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened a N10 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, demanding that he withdraw allegations of murder, bribery and abuse of office within 72 hours or face both criminal and civil legal proceedings.
The ultimatum was conveyed through a cease-and-desist letter dated 6 July 2026, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro on behalf of Pinheiro LP, the Chief of Staff’s legal representatives.
The demand followed a 25 June press conference where Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent share of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council’s purported N27.4 billion take-off grant and received N400 million through proxies.
During the press conference, Adeyemi called Gbajabiamila a “murderer” and “assassin,” alleged that the Chief of Staff demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment as PFIPC director-general, and called for investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary between himself and Gbajabiamila.
Pinheiro’s letter characterised all allegations as “false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” designed to portray Gbajabiamila as “corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to occupy public office.”
Denial of prior contact
Gbajabiamila’s legal team asserted that the Chief of Staff had never met, communicated with or had any personal or official dealings whatsoever with Adeyemi. The lawyers argued that the absence of any prior relationship demonstrated 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 letter stated.
The solicitors further criticised Adeyemi for choosing to air allegations through media rather than presenting evidence before appropriate investigative or judicial authorities. They argued that the widespread publication had gravely injured Gbajabiamila’s reputation, exposed him to public ridicule, diminished public confidence in his office and caused significant reputational damage within and outside Nigeria.
Demands include removal of all materials and public apology
Pinheiro’s letter demanded that Adeyemi immediately take down all videos, transcripts, recordings and related materials from every platform under his control. The letter also required publication of a full retraction and apology in at least five national newspapers and across all social media platforms where the press conference was circulated.
Additionally, Adeyemi was directed to provide written undertaking that no further defamatory statements would be made against the Chief of Staff.
Civil and criminal proceedings threatened if demands unmet
Failure to comply within 72 hours, the letter warned, would trigger both criminal defamation proceedings under Federal Capital Territory law and a civil lawsuit seeking N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages. The damages would be paid to charities of Gbajabiamila’s choice, the letter stated.
The proposed civil suit would also seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from further defamatory publications and a mandatory court order compelling publication of a retraction and apology.
Case already before Federal High Court
The defamation threat comes whilst Adeyemi is facing charges in Federal High Court Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, over allegations of forgery, impersonation and related offences. Specifically, he is accused of forging an appointment letter bearing Gbajabiamila’s purported signature and counterfeiting presidential letter-headed papers.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyers noted that several allegations made during the June 25 press conference touch on matters already before the court, characterising the media briefing as an attempt at “trial by media.” The solicitors argued that trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot substitute for due process.
Adeyemi is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court on 27 July 2026.
