PFIPC: Gbajabiamila Sues  Adeyemi for N15bn Over Alleged 48% Kickback Claims

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja over allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.

‎The suit, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, seeks N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, N200 million as the cost of litigation, and an order compelling the defendant to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.

‎Gbajabiamila is also asking the court to direct Matthew to pin the apology across all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements were published for a period of 30 days.

According to court documents filed by his legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro of Pinheiro LP, the allegations are false, malicious and defamatory.

The Chief of Staff denied ever meeting, communicating with, or authorising Matthew or any intermediary to demand or receive money on his behalf.

The dispute stems from allegations made by Matthew during a press conference, where he claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant and that N400 million had already been paid through a proxy, with an additional N200 million allegedly requested to facilitate presidential approvals.

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‎Matthew also alleged that an intermediary, Babatunde Tanimola, died under suspicious circumstances in a hotel fire in Abuja after allegedly serving as a link between him and the Chief of Staff.

‎ He further claimed he survived an assassination attempt and accused security agencies of abandoning investigations into his stolen mobile phones on the orders of unnamed senior authorities.

‎However, Gbajabiamila, in his statement on oath, described the allegations as entirely fabricated, insisting he had no knowledge of Tanimola, the alleged financial transactions, or the claims of interference with security agencies.

‎The claimant stated that after becoming aware of the allegations around June 25, 2026, he instructed his solicitors to issue a cease-and-desist letter demanding an immediate retraction and public apology.

‎ The notice was published in national newspapers on July 7, 2026.

‎Despite the notice, Gbajabiamila alleged that Matthew continued to repeat the claims during interviews, including one with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and another appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television on July 13.

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According to the court filings, Matthew admitted during the interview with VeryDarkMan that he had never met Gbajabiamila, never held a video call with him, and had relied solely on communications allegedly facilitated by the late Tanimola.

‎Gbajabiamila argued that those admissions contradicted Matthew’s earlier claims and demonstrated that the allegations were made without independent verification.

The suit further disclosed that Matthew is currently facing criminal prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Others, over allegations of forging presidential documents and appointment letters, which the claimant’s legal team said formed the basis of his public accusations.

Gbajabiamila told the court that the repeated allegations had severely damaged his personal and professional reputation, generated widespread public scrutiny, and subjected him to numerous enquiries from colleagues and associates within and outside Nigeria.

He maintained that while public office holders should expect scrutiny, the allegations amounted to false accusations of corruption, abuse of office, bribery and other criminal conduct presented as facts.

The Chief of Staff said he deliberately refrained from responding through the media because he believed the courts remained the appropriate forum to determine the truth.

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‎He urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought, stating that the action was aimed not only at protecting his personal reputation but also preserving the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

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‎The FCT High Court has directed Matthew to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the originating processes, failing which judgment may be entered against him in default.‎