Gbajabiamila Sues Prince Adeyemi for ₦15bn Over Alleged Kickback Claims
By Victor Idajili
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has dragged Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi to court, demanding ₦15 billion in damages over allegations that he demanded a 48% kickback from a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant for a federal agency.
The suit was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja by his legal team from Pinheiro LP, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, alongside Folu Oguntade, SAN, Olukayode Enitan, SAN and Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN.
In the statement of claim, the Chief of Staff is seeking, ₦10 billion in general damages ,₦5 billion in aggravated damages ,₦200 million as cost of the action.
An order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.An order to post the same apology on all social media and online platforms where the claims were made for 30 days.
Adeyemi had alleged during a press conference that a dispute broke out after Gbajabiamila allegedly demanded 48% kickback from the ₦27.3bn take-off grant.
He also claimed that ₦400 million was already paid through a proxy linked to the Chief of Staff, and that another ₦200 million was being demanded to secure presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila denied all of it.
“The claimant has never met the defendant, never held any meeting with him and has never authorised any intermediary, representative, agent or proxy to demand or receive money on his behalf,” the court filing stated.
Adeyemi also linked Gbajabiamila to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, who he said acted as an intermediary. According to him, Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja on October 22, 2025, a day after Gbajabiamila allegedly petitioned police.
He further claimed he survived an assassination attempt on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in September 2025, and alleged that a “directive from above” stopped the DSS and police from recovering his phones which he said contained evidence.
Court documents show Gbajabiamila’s lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter on July 6, 2026, published in THISDAY and other papers the next day, demanding a retraction.
Instead, Adeyemi granted an interview to social media commentator VeryDarkMan. In his witness statement, Gbajabiamila said Adeyemi admitted during that interview that he had never met the Chief of Staff in person, never had a video call with him, and had no way of verifying the identity of the person he spoke with.
Adeyemi also admitted all communications were through the late Tanimola, and said he could not confirm if Gbajabiamila was lying or telling the truth. He said he would submit documents to security agencies for verification.
Despite that, Gbajabiamila alleged Adeyemi repeated the claims on Channels TV’s Politics Today on July 13, 2026.
The court filings noted that Adeyemi is already facing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026: FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Others over allegations of forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters.
Gbajabiamila said those same documents were the basis of the allegations against him.
The FCT High Court has ordered Adeyemi to enter appearance within 14 days of being served, or risk judgment in default. His address was listed as unknown but he is deemed to be within jurisdiction.
In his statement on oath, Gbajabiamila said he has never had any personal, official or professional dealings with Adeyemi.
He denied demanding kickbacks, receiving ₦400m through a proxy, asking for ₦200m, abusing office, manipulating security agencies, intimidating the media, or interfering with investigations.
He also denied instructing the Police, DSS, EFCC, ICPC or any agency to harass Adeyemi, and said he had no knowledge of Tanimola’s death or the alleged attack on Adeyemi.
“The claimant said he has built his reputation over decades of public service on integrity, honesty and fidelity to duty. While public officials should expect scrutiny, these allegations amount to false accusations of corruption, bribery and criminal conduct,” the suit stated.
He said the publications triggered widespread discussion and enquiries from colleagues in and outside Nigeria, causing serious damage to his reputation. He added that he avoided a media fight because “the court is the appropriate forum.”
Gbajabiamila said the case is to protect not just his personal name, but also the integrity and dignity of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
