Gbajabiamila Files N15bn Defamation Suit Against Matthew

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, has initiated a N15 billion defamation lawsuit against Princ Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The suit was filed in the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Gbajabiamila claims Matthew falsely accused him of demanding a 48% kickback from a N27.3 billion grant.

Justice Moham Umar ordered Matthew's arrest for not appearing in court to face eight criminal charges, including conspiracy and forgery. Gbajabiamila's suit demands N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, and N200 million in costs, along with a retraction published in five national newspapers and on social media.

The allegations also involve claims regarding the mysterious death of an intermediary linked to Gbajabiamila and an alleged assassination attempt against him. Despite a cease-and-desist notice, Matthew continued to make statements that Gbajabiamila argues are defamatory.