Court Sets November Trial Dates for Gbajabiamila N15bn Defamation Suit

(Femi Gbajabiamila. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 9, 10 and 13 for trial in the N15 billion defamation suit that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, filed against Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

Justice Samira Bature set the dates on Thursday after the lawyers disagreed over Adeyemi's request for more time to file his defence.

Adeyemi's lawyer, M.P. Usman, said he filed a memorandum of appearance on October 14 and needed more time.

Gbajabiamila's lawyers, Kemi Pinheiro and Olukayode Enitan, opposed the request.

They said Adeyemi was served on July 30, 2026, and that the deadline to file a defence passed in September.

They argued that the case should not be delayed because the integrity of a public officer is at stake.

The suit stems from allegations Adeyemi made at a press conference on June 25, 2026.

He claimed Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 percent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant reportedly approved for the agency.

He also alleged that Gbajabiamila collected N400 million through a proxy.

The Presidency has disowned the agency.

Gbajabiamila sent a cease-and-desist letter on July 7 asking Adeyemi to withdraw the claims, take down related videos and publish a retraction and apology.

When that did not happen, he filed the suit.

He is seeking N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages and N200 million in costs.

He also wants a published retraction and apology in five national newspapers and on social media for 30 days.

In his statement of claim, Gbajabiamila said he has never met or spoken to Adeyemi, never authorised anyone to collect money for him, and never received any money from him or the agency.