Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, has issued a legal demand to Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, seeking a public retraction, apology and ₦10 billion in damages over allegations his lawyers describe as false, malicious and defamatory.
The demand was contained in a five-page cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, issued by Pinheiro LP and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro.
According to the letter, Adeyemi has been given 72 hours to withdraw the allegations, remove all related publications from platforms under his control, and publish an unreserved apology in at least five national newspapers. Failure to comply, the law firm said, would result in both civil and criminal legal action.
Presidency’s Earlier Allegations
The legal dispute follows an earlier accusation by the Presidency that Adeyemi allegedly forged presidential appointment letters and official documents to present himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Executive Advisory Council (PEAC).
Government officials have maintained that neither organisation is a recognised Federal Government agency.
Allegations Rejected by Gbajabiamila
The legal team said Adeyemi made several allegations during a widely circulated press conference, including claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of an alleged take-off grant linked to the PFIPC, received ₦400 million through a proxy, abused his office, manipulated security agencies, influenced budget processes, and was connected to a murder and its alleged cover-up.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyers categorically denied the allegations, describing them as fabricated, reckless and intended to damage the Chief of Staff’s reputation.
“The publications are false, malicious and defamatory, and have caused substantial injury to our client’s reputation,” the letter stated.
Earlier Petition to Security Agencies
The latest legal action follows a petition reportedly submitted by Gbajabiamila in October 2025 to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, requesting an investigation into alleged forgery of official government documents.
According to the petition, forged appointment letters bearing purported signatures from the Office of the Chief of Staff, fake official seals and fabricated reference numbers were allegedly used to appoint individuals into the PFIPC and PEAC.
The Presidency has described the alleged forgery as a serious attack on the integrity of government institutions.
Criminal Case Already Before the Court
Pinheiro LP also noted that Adeyemi is currently facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026 – FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, relating to the alleged forgery of presidential appointment letters and official documents.
The law firm argued that matters currently before a competent court should not be litigated in the media.
Adeyemi Denies Allegations
Adeyemi has denied forging any government documents.
In an earlier interview with PREMIUM TIMES, he rejected the allegations against him and suggested that the government’s actions were a response to issues he had previously raised.
His denial remains part of the ongoing legal dispute, and the allegations against both parties have not been determined by any court.
What Gbajabiamila Is Demanding
Gbajabiamila’s legal team is demanding that Adeyemi:
- Retract all allegedly defamatory statements within 72 hours.
- Remove all related videos, transcripts and publications from every platform under his control.
- Publish a public apology in at least five national newspapers.
- Provide a written undertaking not to repeat the allegations.
- Pay ₦10 billion in damages for alleged injury to Gbajabiamila’s reputation.
The lawyers warned that failure to comply would lead to civil proceedings seeking damages, a permanent injunction against further publication of the allegations, and criminal complaints for defamation.
Why the Case Matters
The dispute has evolved from allegations of forged government appointment letters into a major legal confrontation involving one of the country’s most senior government officials.
Legal observers say the case could become a significant test of Nigeria’s defamation laws, the limits of public accusations against government officials, and the legal consequences of publishing allegations before they are tested in court.