The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has filed a ₦15 billion defamation suit against Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew before 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 litigation, and an order directing 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 obtained by The Telegraph, Gbajabiamila 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 Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the Chief of Staff described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
Other members of the legal team include Folu Oguntade, Olukayode Enitan and Chukwudi Enebeli, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
The suit followed allegations made by Adeyemi Matthew during a press conference, where he claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s ₦27.3 billion take-off grant, allegedly receiving ₦400 million through a proxy while requesting an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila, in his statement on oath, denied having any personal, official or professional relationship with the defendant. He also denied demanding or receiving money, abusing his office, interfering with law enforcement agencies, or being involved in any alleged criminal activities linked to the claims.
He further denied any connection to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi Matthew identified as an intermediary, as well as allegations linking him to an alleged assassination attempt on the defendant or interference with security investigations.
Court documents revealed that Gbajabiamila’s lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter to Adeyemi Matthew on July 6, 2026, demanding a retraction and apology. The claimant said the retraction was published in national newspapers the following day.
However, the suit alleged that rather than withdraw the claims, Adeyemi Matthew granted further interviews, including one with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and another on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on July 13, 2026.
Gbajabiamila told the court that during one of the interviews, Adeyemi Matthew admitted that he had never met him personally or independently verified the identity of the person he believed to be the Chief of Staff, adding that their alleged communications were conducted through the late Tanimola.
The claimant argued that despite the admission, the defendant continued to repeat the allegations publicly, causing further damage to his reputation.
The court documents also stated that Adeyemi Matthew is facing a separate criminal trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on forged presidential documents and appointment letters.
Gbajabiamila told the court that the allegations had damaged his personal and professional reputation, describing them as false claims of corruption, bribery and abuse of office.
He said he chose to seek legal redress rather than engage in a media dispute, adding that the suit was aimed at protecting his reputation and preserving the integrity of the office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
The FCT High Court has directed Adeyemi Matthew to enter an appearance within 14 days of being served with the originating processes, failing which judgment may be entered against him in default.
