The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking ₦10 billion as general damages, ₦5 billion as aggravated damages, and ₦200 million as cost of the action.
He is also asking the court to order the defendant to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers, and to pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements were published for 30 days.
The Chief of Staff is represented by a legal team from Pinheiro LP led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), alongside Folu Oguntade (SAN), Olukayode Enitan (SAN) and Chukwudi Enebeli (SAN).
According to the statement of claim, the suit relates to allegations made by Matthew at a press conference and in subsequent media interviews.
Matthew alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.
He further alleged that ₦400 million had been paid through a proxy on behalf of the Chief of Staff, with an additional ₦200 million required to secure presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila denied the allegations.
In court documents, he stated: “The Claimant has never met the Defendant, never held any meeting with him and has never authorised any intermediary, representative, agent or proxy to demand or receive money on his behalf.”
He also denied receiving, directly or indirectly, any money from the defendant, and denied abusing his office or interfering with law enforcement agencies.
The suit also referenced Matthew’s claims regarding the death of Mr. Babatunde Tanimola, whom he alleged served as a link between them, and claims of an alleged assassination attempt and interference with security agencies.
Gbajabiamila denied any involvement in or knowledge of those matters.
According to the court filings, Gbajabiamila’s solicitors issued a cease-and-desist notice published in several national newspapers on July 7, 2026, demanding a retraction and apology.
Gbajabiamila stated in his witness deposition that during a later interview, Matthew admitted he had never met him personally and had not conducted a video call or other verification to confirm his identity, and that all communications were through the late Tanimola.
He said the defendant also stated he could neither affirm nor deny the Chief of Staff’s denial, and intended to submit documents to police for verification.
The Chief of Staff told the court that despite that, the allegations were repeated during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on July 13, 2026.
Ongoing Prosecution
The court filings also disclosed that Matthew is standing trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Others, over allegations bordering on forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters.
Court Directive
The High Court of the FCT has directed Matthew, whose address was listed as unknown but who is deemed to be within the court’s jurisdiction, to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the originating processes, failing which judgment may be entered against him in default.
In his witness statement, Gbajabiamila told the court that allegations accusing him of demanding bribes, abusing his office and interfering with law enforcement were false and had caused damage to his personal and professional reputation.
He said he built his reputation over decades of public service on integrity and fidelity to duty, and that while public office holders must expect scrutiny, the allegations went beyond legitimate criticism.
He added that he refrained from responding through the media because he believed the court was the proper forum, and that the action was instituted to vindicate his reputation and protect the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
The claimant urged the court to grant all reliefs sought.
