Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened to file a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), over allegations of bribery and murder.
In a letter signed by his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, Gbajabiamila gave Adeyemi 72 hours to remove all videos and comments containing the allegations and demanded a public apology and full retraction.
The letter also required Adeyemi to publish the apology in at least five national newspapers and across his social media platforms where his June 26 press conference was circulated.
Gbajabiamila’s legal team described the allegations as “malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” saying they were intended to portray the Chief of Staff as corrupt, morally bankrupt and a murderer.
The lawyers further directed Adeyemi to immediately stop making or publishing any further defamatory statements and provide a written undertaking that he would refrain from repeating the allegations.
They warned that failure to comply within the stipulated 72 hours would result in both civil and criminal legal action.
According to the letter, Gbajabiamila plans to seek ₦10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, which would be donated to charities of his choice. The legal team also said it would seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making further defamatory publications and an order compelling him to issue a public apology and retraction.
The latest development comes amid the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, which the Presidency has repeatedly insisted does not exist.
Despite the government’s position, Adeyemi has maintained that he was appointed to lead the council, claiming it appeared in the 2026 federal budget and alleging that Gbajabiamila facilitated his appointment.
During a press conference last month, Adeyemi accused the Chief of Staff of receiving ₦400 million through a proxy and demanding an additional ₦200 million in connection with the appointment. He also called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary, while claiming his own life was under threat.
Adeyemi is currently facing charges of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation over allegations that he forged government documents, including a presidential appointment letter. He has denied all wrongdoing and insists his appointment was legitimate.
Speaking recently, Adeyemi said he was confident the courts would determine the truth, insisting he was not a fraudster and would allow the judicial process to clear his name.