Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened to institute a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit and pursue criminal proceedings against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew over allegations he described as false, malicious and defamatory.

The demand was conveyed in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, issued by Gbajabiamila's solicitors, Pinheiro LP, and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro.

In the letter, the law firm stated that it was acting on behalf of Gbajabiamila, describing him as a distinguished public servant whose reputation had been built over decades of service as a lawyer, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and currently Chief of Staff to the President.

According to the solicitors, their client's attention was drawn to a press conference addressed by Prince Adeyemi on June 25, 2026, during which a series of allegations were made against the Chief of Staff. The firm said the statements were subsequently circulated across print, electronic and social media platforms.

Pinheiro LP maintained that the allegations were false, reckless and without factual foundation, arguing that they portrayed Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, administratively incompetent and criminally culpable.

Among the allegations referenced in the letter were claims that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of an alleged take-off grant meant for an organisation identified as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, received ₦400 million through proxies in connection with appointments into the organisation, abused his office to intimidate individuals and media organisations, manipulated security agencies, engaged in corrupt practices and other criminal conduct, and was involved in murder and an alleged cover-up.

The law firm rejected all the allegations, insisting that Gbajabiamila had never met, communicated with or had any personal or official relationship with Prince Adeyemi.

According to the solicitors, the allegations exceeded the bounds of fair comment and political criticism, amounting instead to serious accusations of criminality made without supporting evidence.

The letter further stated that the publication had caused significant reputational damage to the Chief of Staff, exposing him to public ridicule and diminishing public confidence in his office both within and outside Nigeria.

Pinheiro LP also criticised Prince Adeyemi for raising the allegations through a press conference rather than presenting any evidence before the appropriate investigative or judicial authorities.

The firm further noted that Prince Adeyemi is currently facing criminal prosecution before the Federal High Court, Abuja, 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 documents purportedly issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the solicitors, some of the issues raised during the press conference are already the subject of the pending criminal proceedings, adding that "trial by media" cannot replace due process under Nigerian law.

The law firm demanded that Prince Adeyemi cease making or publishing any further defamatory statements concerning Gbajabiamila within 72 hours of receiving the letter. It also requested the removal of all related videos, transcripts, recordings and publications from every platform under his control.

In addition, the solicitors demanded a full, unequivocal and unreserved retraction and apology, acknowledging that the allegations were false and without factual basis. The apology, the letter stated, should be published with equal prominence in at least five national newspapers, on all platforms where the allegations appeared, and across all relevant social media accounts.

Pinheiro LP also requested a written undertaking that no further defamatory statements would be made against its client.

The firm warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave Gbajabiamila with no option but to initiate legal proceedings without further notice.

According to the letter, the proposed legal action will include both criminal and civil proceedings, with the civil suit seeking ₦10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages. The solicitors stated that any damages awarded would be donated to charities chosen by the Chief of Staff.

The proposed suit will also seek a perpetual injunction restraining further defamatory publications against Gbajabiamila, as well as a mandatory court order compelling the publication of a retraction and apology.

As of the time of filing this report, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the cease-and-desist letter.