By Wale Igbintade
Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Gbajabiamila, has threatened to institute a N10 billion defamation suit and criminal proceedings against ‘Director General’ of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council; Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew unless he retracts and apologises for what he described as false and defamatory allegations contained in a widely circulated press conference within 72 hours.
The demand was conveyed in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, issued by his solicitors, Pinheiro LP, and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro.
The law firm said it was acting on the instructions of Gbajabiamila, whom it described as “one of Nigeria’s most accomplished public servants” whose reputation had been built over decades of public service as a lawyer, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and now Chief of Staff to the President.
According to the letter, the firm’s client’s attention had been drawn to a press conference addressed by Prince Matthew on June 25, 2026, which was subsequently circulated across print, electronic and social media platforms.
Pinheiro LP alleged that the publication contained numerous statements that were “false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” adding that the allegations were calculated to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to occupy public office.
The solicitors listed several allegations they said were made against the Chief of Staff, including claims that he demanded 48 per cent of the alleged take-off grant of an organisation identified as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council; received N400 million through proxies in connection with appointments into the organisation; abused his office to intimidate individuals and media organisations; participated in fraudulent budget processes; acted dishonestly in a manner warranting his resignation; manipulated security agencies; discharged his official duties under the influence of intoxicating substances; engaged in corruption, abuse of office and other criminal conduct; and was involved in murder and a criminal cover-up.
The law firm maintained that all the allegations were false and defamatory.
It further stated that Gbajabiamila had never met, communicated or had any personal or official dealings with Prince Matthew, arguing that the absence of any prior relationship underscored the reckless and malicious nature of the allegations.
“The publication goes far beyond fair comment, criticism or political discourse. Rather, it consists of grave allegations of criminality, corruption, abuse of office, bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice and official misconduct made without any lawful justification or supporting evidence,” the letter stated.
According to the solicitors, the widespread publication had gravely injured their client’s hard-earned reputation, exposed him to public ridicule, diminished public confidence in his office and caused significant reputational damage both within and outside Nigeria.
The letter also criticised Prince Matthew for allegedly making the allegations through a press conference instead of presenting evidence before the appropriate investigative or judicial authorities.
Pinheiro LP further linked the press conference to a pending criminal prosecution against Prince Matthew.
The firm stated that criminal charges had already been filed against him before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, over allegations bordering on forgery, including the alleged forging of an appointment letter and presidential letter-headed papers purportedly showing that he had been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the letter, the allegations made during the press conference touched on issues already forming part of the pending criminal case.
The solicitors argued that “trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.”
They further stated that since the publication, friends, associates and members of the public had inundated Gbajabiamila with telephone calls, with many allegedly questioning his integrity as a result of the allegations.
As part of the demands, Pinheiro LP directed Prince Matthew to cease and desist from making or publishing any further defamatory statements concerning Gbajabiamila within 72 hours of receiving the letter.
The law firm also demanded the removal of the press conference, transcripts, videos, recordings and all related publications from every platform under Prince Matthew’s control.
It further requested that he publish a full, unequivocal and unreserved retraction and apology acknowledging that the allegations were false and without factual basis.
According to the letter, the apology must be published with equal prominence in at least five national newspapers, on every platform where the offending publication appeared and on all social media accounts through which it was disseminated.
The solicitors also demanded a written undertaking that no further defamatory statements would be made against their client.
Pinheiro LP warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave Gbajabiamila with no option but to commence legal proceedings without further notice.
The proposed legal action, the firm said, would include the filing of a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory.
It added that civil proceedings would also be instituted seeking, among other reliefs, N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, which the letter stated would be paid to charity or charities of Gbajabiamila’s choice.
The proposed suit will also seek a perpetual injunction restraining any further defamatory publications against the Chief of Staff and a mandatory order compelling the publication of a retraction and apology.
