Jelili Gbadamosi
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened to file a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the convener of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), over allegations linking him to murder and bribery.
The legal threat was contained in a letter signed by Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), who described the allegations as false, malicious, and without any factual basis.
In the letter, Gbajabiamila demanded that Adeyemi immediately remove all videos and other materials containing the alleged defamatory statements. He also requested a full retraction and public apology to be published in at least five national newspapers and across all social media platforms where the June 26 press conference was circulated.
According to the lawyer, the statements made by Adeyemi were designed to portray Gbajabiamila as “corrupt, morally bankrupt, and a murderer,” insisting that the claims were entirely fabricated.
Pinheiro further stated that Gbajabiamila had never met or interacted with Adeyemi, describing the allegations as baseless.
“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 read.
The letter gave Adeyemi 72 hours to comply with the demands, warning that failure to do so would leave Gbajabiamila with no option but to institute legal proceedings without further notice.
The dispute stems from controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
In June, the Presidency disowned the PFIPC, maintaining that no such body exists under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on June 11, Gbajabiamila said neither his office nor the Presidency had appointed Adeyemi to any position in the organisation.
However, during a press conference on June 26, Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s position, arguing that the PFIPC was captured in the 2026 budget despite official claims that it does not exist.
He also alleged that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional ₦200 million to facilitate his appointment. Adeyemi further called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary, and claimed there had been attempts on his life.
The Presidency has continued to deny any affiliation with the PFIPC, while Gbajabiamila has rejected the allegations, describing them as false, defamatory, and damaging to his reputation.
