Gbajabiamila Sues Adeyemi for N15bn Over Kickback Claims

Presidential Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila has filed a fifteen-billion-naira defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. The legal battle at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory follows explosive public allegations of bribery and official misconduct. Adeyemi accused the top official of demanding a massive forty-eight per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion grant. Gbajabiamila denies ever meeting or communicating with his accuser and wants his name cleared.

The legal team representing the Chief of Staff describes the bribery claims as false and highly malicious. Adeyemi claimed that a proxy acting for the senior official collected four hundred million naira to secure presidential approvals. He also linked the presidential aide to the mysterious death of an intermediary who allegedly brokered the deal. Gbajabiamila is demanding ten billion naira in general damages and five billion naira in aggravated damages.

The suit highlights crucial contradictions in the accuser’s public narrative. During a recent online interview, Adeyemi admitted he had never met the Chief of Staff in person. He also confessed that he could not verify the identity of the person who claimed to speak for Gbajabiamila. Despite these admissions, the defendant repeated his bribery claims on a national television programme. The plaintiff argues these public attacks were deliberately designed to tarnish his reputation.

The civil suit follows a criminal case already active against the controversial accuser. Federal prosecutors charge Adeyemi with operating a fictitious government agency. He faces trial for allegedly forging presidential appointment letters, official signatures, and government letterheads. Investigators claim he used these forged documents to open thirty-four bank accounts. Adeyemi denies the criminal charges and maintains his organisation is legitimate.

Gbajabiamila is also seeking a court order to compel a public apology. The suit demands that the retraction run in five national newspapers and remain pinned on all social media channels. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro leads the high-profile legal team prosecuting the case. He argues that the lawsuit protects the integrity of the presidency. The court will determine the merits of the defamation suit as the separate criminal trial commences.