ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, demanding the immediate withdrawal of what he described as false and defamatory allegations made against him during a widely circulated press conference.
Gbajabiamila warned that failure to comply with the demand would leave him with no option but to commence both civil and criminal legal proceedings against Adeyemi.
Through his solicitors, Pinheiro LP, the Chief of Staff is also seeking a public apology, the removal of all alleged defamatory publications from print, broadcast, online and social media platforms, as well as a written undertaking that no similar allegations would be made against him in the future.
The demands were conveyed in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, and signed by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) on behalf of the law firm.
According to the letter, the legal action followed a press conference addressed by Adeyemi on June 25, 2026, during which several allegations were made against the Chief of Staff before the claims gained widespread circulation across various media platforms.
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Pinheiro LP described the allegations as “false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” arguing that they were deliberately crafted to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, morally bankrupt, criminally culpable, administratively incompetent and unfit to occupy public office.
The solicitors said the publication also sought to associate the Chief of Staff with serious criminal offences, including murder, despite what they described as a complete absence of supporting evidence.
Among the allegations challenged were claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the alleged take-off grant meant for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC); received N400 million through proxies in relation to appointments into the organisation; manipulated security agencies and budget processes; intimidated individuals and media organisations; performed official duties while under the influence of intoxicating substances; engaged in corruption and abuse of office; and participated in an alleged murder and cover-up.
The law firm maintained that every allegation contained in the publication was entirely false, defamatory and unsupported by any credible evidence.
It further stated that Gbajabiamila had never met, spoken with or maintained any official or personal relationship with Adeyemi, insisting that the lack of any previous interaction further exposed the publication as reckless and malicious.
“The publication goes far beyond fair comment, criticism or political discourse. Rather, it consists of grave allegations of criminality, corruption, abuse of office, bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice and official misconduct made without any lawful justification or supporting evidence,” the solicitors stated.
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According to the letter, the publication has caused significant damage to the Chief of Staff’s reputation, exposed him to public ridicule, weakened public confidence in his office and affected his standing both within Nigeria and internationally.
The legal team also faulted Adeyemi for choosing to publicise the allegations instead of presenting them before appropriate investigative or judicial authorities.
Pinheiro LP further noted that many of the issues raised during the press conference relate to a criminal case already pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
According to the solicitors, Adeyemi is currently standing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, over allegations bordering on forgery, including the alleged forgery of an appointment letter and presidential letter-headed papers purportedly showing that he had been appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
The firm argued that several of the accusations made during the press conference concern matters already before the court and should not be litigated in the media.
“It is even more disturbing to our client that you resorted to defaming him through your press statements after a criminal charge had been filed against you,” the letter stated.
It added: “Trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.”
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The solicitors further claimed that the publication generated widespread public attention, prompting friends, political associates and members of the public to contact Gbajabiamila over the allegations while questioning his integrity.
As part of its demands, the law firm directed Adeyemi to immediately cease and desist from making or publishing any further defamatory statements concerning the Chief of Staff.
It also demanded the immediate removal of the press conference, transcripts, videos, recordings and every related publication from all platforms under his control.
In addition, the solicitors insisted that Adeyemi publish a full, unequivocal and unreserved retraction, accompanied by an apology admitting that the allegations were false, defamatory and without factual basis.
According to the letter, the apology must receive equal prominence in at least five national newspapers, appear on every platform where the allegations were published and be disseminated through all social media accounts used to circulate the claims.
Pinheiro LP also demanded a written undertaking from Adeyemi that he would refrain from making any further defamatory statements against Gbajabiamila.
The law firm warned that if the demands are not met within 72 hours, it will initiate legal proceedings without further notice.
It disclosed that the proposed action would include the filing of a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory.
The solicitors further stated that the civil suit would seek N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, adding that any damages awarded would be donated to charity or charities selected by Gbajabiamila.
In addition, the proposed suit will seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making or publishing any further defamatory statements against the Chief of Staff, as well as a mandatory order compelling him to publish a full retraction and apology.