By Ayomide Otitoju
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, over allegations that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.
In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, ₦200 million as the cost of the action, and an order compelling the defendant to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers and on all social media platforms where the alleged defamatory statements were circulated.
According to court documents, the Chief of Staff denied ever meeting or communicating with Adeyemi Matthew or authorising anyone to demand or receive money on his behalf.
Through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kemi Pinheiro, Gbajabiamila described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory. Other members of the legal team include SANs Folu Oguntade, Olukayode Enitan and Chukwudi Enebeli.
The suit followed claims made by Adeyemi Matthew during a press conference, where he alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s ₦27.3 billion take-off grant, received ₦400 million through a proxy, and requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
In his statement on oath, Gbajabiamila denied demanding or receiving any money, abusing his office or interfering with any law enforcement agency.
He also denied any involvement in the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, who was claimed to have acted as an intermediary, as well as allegations linking him to an alleged assassination attempt on the defendant or interference with security investigations.
The court documents stated that Gbajabiamila’s solicitors issued a cease-and-desist letter on July 6, 2026, demanding a retraction and apology, which was published in national newspapers the following day.
However, the claimant alleged that rather than retract the statements, Adeyemi Matthew granted additional interviews, including one with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and another on Politics Today on Channels Television on July 13, 2026.
Gbajabiamila told the court that during one of the interviews, the defendant admitted he had never met him personally or independently verified the identity of the individual he believed to be the Chief of Staff, claiming all communications were conducted through the late Tanimola.
The claimant argued that despite those admissions, the defendant continued to repeat the allegations publicly, further damaging his reputation.
Court documents also disclosed that Adeyemi Matthew is facing a separate criminal trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over allegations involving forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters.
Gbajabiamila said the allegations had harmed both his personal and professional reputation, describing them as false accusations of corruption, bribery and abuse of office.
He told the court he opted to seek legal redress rather than respond through the media, stating that the action was intended to protect his reputation and the integrity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
The FCT High Court has directed the defendant to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the court processes, failing which judgment may be entered against him.
