Fake Agency: Gbajabiamila Files N15bn Defamation Suit Against Adeyemi

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, following allegations linking him to a controversial federal agency scandal and claims that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a government-approved fund.

Gbajabiamila filed the suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, asking the court to award damages over what his legal team described as false and defamatory statements made by Adeyemi against his person and office.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives is seeking N10 billion as general damages, N5 billion as aggravated damages, and N200 million as the cost of litigation, while also demanding that Adeyemi issue a public retraction and apology in national newspapers.

The legal action followed allegations made by Adeyemi, who claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent share of a N27.3 billion take-off grant allegedly approved for the now controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Gbajabiamila, however, denied the allegations, insisting that he had never met Adeyemi, had no relationship with him and was not involved in any demand for payment or kickback from any government agency.

The Chief of Staff described the allegations as malicious and damaging to his reputation, arguing that they were designed to portray him as corrupt and involved in criminal activities.

The controversy centres on the alleged creation of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organisation authorities have described as a fake or unauthorised agency that allegedly operated using forged government documents and impersonated officials.

Reports indicated that Adeyemi allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the organisation and was accused of using falsified appointment letters, official seals and documents bearing forged signatures to give the impression that the agency had presidential backing.

According to previous reports, Gbajabiamila had petitioned security agencies after his signature and office documents were allegedly forged in connection with appointment letters issued by the group.

The matter attracted further attention after authorities alleged that the organisation secured recognition and access to government structures despite questions surrounding its authenticity.

The Presidency has maintained that Gbajabiamila was not involved in the alleged activities of the group, while security agencies continued investigations into the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the organisation.

Before filing the N15 billion suit, Gbajabiamila had through his lawyers issued a warning demanding that Adeyemi retract the allegations within 72 hours or face legal action.

Adeyemi, however, reportedly maintained his claims during subsequent media appearances, prompting the escalation of the matter into a full legal battle.

The controversy has generated political reactions, with opposition figures and some commentators calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged fake agency, while supporters of Gbajabiamila have argued that the allegations against him were baseless and politically motivated.

The case is expected to test the claims made by both sides, as Gbajabiamila seeks judicial vindication over what he considers defamatory allegations, while the wider investigation into the alleged PFIPC scandal continues.

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