A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has fixed November 9, 10 and 13 for the commencement of the trial in a ₦15 billion defamation suit filed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, against Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Justice Samira Bature fixed the dates on Thursday following a disagreement between lawyers over Adeyemi’s request for additional time to file his defence.
At the resumed hearing, Kemi Pinheiro and Olukayode Enitan, counsel to Gbajabiamila, opposed an application by Adeyemi’s lawyer, M.P. Usman, seeking an extension of time to respond to the suit.
Usman told the court that he filed a memorandum of appearance on Wednesday, October 14, and required more time to prepare and file his client’s defence.
However, Pinheiro argued that Adeyemi had been served with the court documents on July 30, 2026, and that the deadline for filing his defence had expired in September.
He urged the court to prevent further delays, stressing that the case concerned allegations affecting the integrity of a public officer. Gbajabiamila’s lawyers also requested three hearing dates to enable them to present and conclude their case.
Justice Bature subsequently fixed November 9, 10 and 13 for the trial.
Neither Gbajabiamila nor Adeyemi was present in court. Pinheiro and Enitan appeared for the claimant, alongside Jamiu Agoro and Chioma Olisakwe, while Usman represented the defendant.
The suit arose from allegations by Adeyemi that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from an alleged ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for the PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has reportedly disowned.
Adeyemi reportedly made the allegations at a press conference on June 25, 2026. He also alleged that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy in connection with the agency.
On July 7, Gbajabiamila, through his lawyers, issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Adeyemi withdraw the allegations, remove related videos and publications, and publish a retraction and apology in at least five national newspapers and on the social media platforms where the claims were circulated.
Gbajabiamila subsequently instituted the ₦15 billion lawsuit, seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages and ₦200 million as the cost of the suit.
He is also asking the court to compel Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and unconditional apology in five national newspapers and on the affected online platforms for 30 consecutive days.
In his statement of claim, Gbajabiamila denied ever meeting or speaking with Adeyemi, authorising anyone to demand or collect money on his behalf, or requesting any percentage of the alleged grant.
He also denied receiving money, either directly or indirectly, from Adeyemi.
The court is expected to commence the trial on November 9, when the parties will begin presenting their cases.
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