The warning was conveyed through a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, issued by senior advocate Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, of Pinheiro LP. The legal team is demanding a full retraction of the allegations, a public apology, the removal of all related publications from media platforms, and a written commitment that no similar statements will be made in the future.
According to the letter, the disputed allegations were made during a press conference held on June 25, 2026, and later circulated across print, broadcast, online, and social media platforms.
Legal Team Rejects Allegations as False
Gbajabiamila’s lawyers described the claims as entirely baseless, malicious, and unsupported by any credible evidence.
They argued that the statements were deliberately crafted to portray the Chief of Staff as corrupt, dishonest, administratively incompetent, morally bankrupt, and guilty of several serious criminal offences.
Among the allegations cited in the legal notice are claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 percent of the alleged take-off grant for an organisation identified as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, received N400 million through proxies in exchange for appointments, manipulated government institutions, interfered with security agencies, abused public office, participated in fraudulent budget practices, acted under the influence of intoxicating substances while carrying out official duties, and was involved in corruption, murder, and an alleged cover-up.
The law firm maintained that none of the allegations has any factual basis and insisted they amount to defamatory accusations intended to damage the reputation of a serving public official.
“No Relationship Whatsoever”
Pinheiro LP also stated that Gbajabiamila has never met, spoken with, or maintained any official or personal relationship with Adeyemi.
According to the solicitors, this lack of any prior interaction further demonstrates the reckless nature of the accusations.
“The publication goes far beyond fair comment or legitimate political criticism,” the letter stated.
“It consists of grave allegations of criminality, corruption, bribery, abuse of office, extortion, obstruction of justice and other forms of official misconduct made without lawful justification or supporting evidence.”
The legal team argued that the allegations have caused serious reputational harm, exposing Gbajabiamila to public ridicule while undermining public confidence in his office both within Nigeria and internationally.
Lawyers Link Allegations to Pending Criminal Case
The legal notice also referenced an ongoing criminal case involving Adeyemi before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the letter, Adeyemi is standing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Others, over allegations relating to forgery.
The case reportedly involves accusations that forged appointment documents and presidential letter-headed papers were used to falsely suggest that Adeyemi had been appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyers argued that several issues raised during the press conference relate directly to matters already before the court.
They criticised Adeyemi for choosing what they described as “trial by media” instead of allowing the judicial process to determine the issues before it.
“It is even more disturbing to our client that you resorted to defaming him through your press statements after criminal charges had already been filed against you,” the letter stated.
The lawyers added that trial by media has no place within Nigeria’s legal system and cannot replace due judicial process.
Demands Issued
The legal team has demanded that Adeyemi immediately stop making or publishing any further allegations against Gbajabiamila.
It also instructed him to remove every version of the disputed press conference, including videos, transcripts, recordings and related publications from all platforms under his control.
In addition, the lawyers want an unequivocal public retraction and apology acknowledging that the allegations were false, defamatory and made without factual foundation.
The proposed apology, according to the letter, must receive the same level of publicity as the original allegations. It should be published in at least five national newspapers, as well as on every website and social media platform where the allegations appeared.
Adeyemi is also expected to provide a written undertaking that he will refrain from making any similar statements in the future.
N10 Billion Suit Looms
Pinheiro LP warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would trigger both civil and criminal proceedings without further notice.
The criminal action would reportedly include a complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory.
On the civil side, Gbajabiamila intends to seek N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged injury to his reputation.
According to the legal notice, any damages awarded would be donated to charitable organisations selected by the Chief of Staff.
The proposed lawsuit will also seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making any further defamatory statements and a mandatory court order compelling the publication of a full retraction and apology.
