Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Adeniyi Adeyemi, warning him to withdraw the allegations he described as defamatory against Gbajabiamila or face a N10 billion defamation lawsuit, as well as possible criminal proceedings.
The ultimatum was conveyed in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, by the law firm of Pinheiro LP, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro, acting on behalf of Gbajabiamila.
According to the letter, Adeyemi made a series of allegations during a June 25 press conference, accusing the Chief of Staff of corruption, abuse of office, involvement in fraudulent budget processes, murder, intimidation and other criminal acts.
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Gbajabiamila’s legal team described the claims as false, malicious and entirely without factual basis, arguing that they were deliberately intended to damage his reputation and erode public confidence in his office.
The solicitors further maintained that Gbajabiamila had never met, communicated with or maintained any personal or official relationship with Adeyemi, describing the allegations as reckless and fabricated.
Among the demands made in the letter are the immediate withdrawal of the allegations, removal of all related videos, transcripts and publications from media and social media platforms, a public apology published in at least five national newspapers, and a written undertaking that no further defamatory statements would be made against the Chief of Staff.
The lawyers warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would trigger both civil and criminal legal action, including a N10 billion claim for aggravated and exemplary damages, an injunction restraining further publications, and a court order compelling a public retraction and apology. They also indicated that any damages awarded would be donated to a charity of Gbajabiamila’s choice.
The dispute is linked to the ongoing controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an entity the Presidency has described as non-existent.
Adeyemi, who claimed to be the Director-General of the council, is currently facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged forgery and related offences, including accusations that he forged official documents and fraudulently presented himself as a government official.
The matter has continued to generate public interest amid calls from various stakeholders for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the controversial agency and the allegations arising from it.
