Gbajabiamila threatens N10bn defamation suit against ‘fake’ PFIPC DG

CHIEF of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened to institute a N10 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), over allegations linking him to murder and bribery.

In a letter written by his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, Gbajabiamila demanded that Adeyemi immediately remove all videos and other materials in which the allegations were made against him.

The chief of staff also asked Adeyemi to issue a full retraction and apology, to be published in at least 5 national newspapers and across every social media platform where the June 26 press conference was shared.

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Pinheiro described the claims made during the briefing as false, malicious and reckless, arguing that they lacked any factual basis and were intended to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, morally bankrupt and a murderer.

The lawyer further stated that Gbajabiamila had never met or interacted with Adeyemi, making the accusations particularly reckless and malicious.

According to the letter, it was even more troubling that Adeyemi allegedly resorted to making defamatory statements after criminal charges had already been filed against him.

Pinheiro warned that if Adeyemi failed to comply with the demands within 72 hours, legal proceedings would commence without any further notice.

Backstory

The controversy follows the presidency’s announcement in June distancing itself from the PFIPC, insisting that no such body exists under the Tinubu administration.

Gbajabiamila had also stated that neither his office nor the presidency appointed Adeyemi to any position within the organisation.

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At a June 26 press conference, however, Adeyemi challenged an earlier June 11 statement by the chief of staff denying the existence of the PFIPC.

He questioned how the council allegedly appeared in the 2026 budget if it did not exist, as maintained by the presidency.

Adeyemi also alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and sought an additional N200 million to facilitate his appointment.

He further called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary, while also claiming that attempts had been made on his life