The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) took a fresh turn on Monday as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, threatened to file a N10 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi over allegations linking him to murder, bribery, abuse of office and other criminal conduct.
Gbajabiamila, through his lawyers, described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory, demanding an immediate retraction and public apology from Adeyemi within 72 hours or face both civil and criminal legal action.
The development is the latest in the growing controversy over the PFIPC, an organisation the Presidency has described as a fictitious agency but which appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budget allocation of more than N1.3 billion.
Adeyemi, who claimed to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation brought against him by the Federal Government.
He is accused of forging official government documents, including an appointment letter allegedly bearing Gbajabiamila’s signature, and counterfeiting presidential letter-headed papers to present himself as a government official.
The Chief of Staff’s legal threat followed a press conference held by Adeyemi on June 25, during which he accused Gbajabiamila of demanding a share of the council’s alleged take-off grant, receiving money through proxies, abusing his office and participating in what he described as a cover-up.
Adeyemi also referred to the Chief of Staff as “a murderer” and “an assassin” during the briefing, allegations that Gbajabiamila has strongly denied.
In a letter dated July 6, 2026, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, on behalf of Pinheiro LP, lawyers to the Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila demanded that Adeyemi immediately withdraw the allegations.
The letter stated that the statements made during the press conference had seriously damaged the reputation and integrity of the Chief of Staff.
According to the lawyers, Adeyemi made nine separate allegations against Gbajabiamila, including claims that he demanded 48 per cent of the council’s alleged N27.4 billion take-off grant, amounting to about N12.5 billion.
Adeyemi also alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through intermediaries in connection with appointments linked to the council.
Other accusations included claims that the Chief of Staff abused his office to intimidate individuals and media organisations, manipulated budget processes, attempted to misuse security agencies and even carried out official duties while under the influence of intoxicating substances.
The legal team described all the allegations as entirely false and without any factual basis.
According to the letter, the allegations were deliberately designed to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, criminally liable, morally bankrupt and unfit to hold public office.
The lawyers further maintained that Adeyemi had never met or interacted with the Chief of Staff in either an official or personal capacity.
“You have never at any time met, interacted with, communicated with, or had any form of personal or official dealing whatsoever with him,” the lawyers stated.
They argued that the absence of any relationship between both men further exposed what they described as the reckless and malicious nature of the allegations.
The legal team also pointed to the ongoing criminal proceedings against Adeyemi, noting that he made the allegations after charges had already been filed against him.
According to the lawyers, the issues raised during the June 25 press conference relate directly to matters that are already before the Federal High Court.
They warned against what they described as an attempt to conduct a “trial by media” instead of allowing the judicial process to determine the facts.
“Trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process,” the letter stated.
Gbajabiamila’s lawyers gave Adeyemi 72 hours from the receipt of the letter to comply with a number of demands.
These include removing all videos, recordings, transcripts and other materials relating to the press conference from every platform where they were published.
They also demanded that Adeyemi publish a full retraction and apology in at least five national newspapers as well as on all social media platforms used to circulate the allegations.
In addition, the lawyers requested a written undertaking that Adeyemi would not make any further statements concerning the Chief of Staff.
The letter warned that failure to comply would result in both criminal defamation proceedings under the laws of the Federal Capital Territory and a civil lawsuit seeking N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages.
According to the lawyers, any damages awarded would be donated to a charity chosen by the Chief of Staff.
They also indicated that they would seek a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyemi from making further publications as well as a court order compelling him to publish the apology.
The PFIPC controversy has generated widespread public debate following revelations that the council was listed in the 2026 Appropriation Act under the name Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
The budget allocated more than N1.3 billion to the entity, including about N803 million for personnel costs, N200 million for overhead and N300 million for capital expenditure.
Adeyemi has insisted that the inclusion of the council in the budget signed into law by the President shows that it cannot be regarded as a non-existent agency.
According to him, an organisation listed on pages 50 and 51 of an appropriation law approved by the President should be recognised as legitimate.
However, the Presidency has maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency and has described it as fraudulent.
The controversy has also attracted comments from senior lawyer and human rights advocate, Femi Falana, SAN.
Falana argued that the Presidency lacks the constitutional authority to clear anyone of wrongdoing in the matter.
He called for an independent investigation into the allegations involving both Gbajabiamila and Adeyemi, saying only a transparent probe would establish the true facts.
With criminal proceedings already before the Federal High Court and the threat of a multi-billion-naira defamation suit now hanging over the case, the PFIPC controversy appears set for an even more intense legal battle as both sides seek to defend their positions through the courts.