PFIPC: Five Reasons Gbajabiamila Filed N15bn Defamation Suit Against Adeyemi
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has dragged Adeniyi Adeyemi before a High Court, demanding N15 billion in damages over what he described as a series of defamatory statements allegedly made against him in connection with the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The suit marks a fresh twist in the PFIPC controversy, with Gbajabiamila insisting that the allegations made by Adeyemi were false, malicious, and intended to damage his reputation, credibility, and public standing.
According to the court documents, Gbajabiamila outlined several reasons for instituting the legal action, arguing that the statements published and circulated by Adeyemi portrayed him as being involved in fraudulent dealings and abuse of public office without any credible evidence.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives maintained that the allegations were reckless, defamatory, and capable of lowering his image in the eyes of reasonable members of society.
Why Gbajabiamila is suing Adeyemi
Among the major reasons cited in the lawsuit are:
Alleged false claims linking him to the operations of the controversial PFIPC.
Accusations suggesting he used his office to influence or support illegal activities.
Publications alleged to have portrayed him as complicit in fraud and abuse of power.
Claims that the statements injured his reputation built over several years in public service.
Alleged continuous circulation of defamatory materials across various media platforms despite denials.
Gbajabiamila argued that the publications subjected him to public ridicule, embarrassment, and reputational damage both within and outside Nigeria.
The presidential aide is therefore asking the court to award N15 billion as general and aggravated damages for the alleged defamation.
He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi, his agents, associates, and anyone acting on his behalf from making or publishing further defamatory statements against him.
In addition, Gbajabiamila wants the court to compel Adeyemi to issue a public retraction of the statements and publish an unreserved apology in national newspapers and other media platforms.
The legal action is the latest development in the ongoing PFIPC saga, which has generated multiple investigations, court proceedings, and public debates over the activities of individuals associated with the organisation.
The case is expected to test the legal boundaries between freedom of expression and protection of personal reputation as the court begins hearing on the matter.
