Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has given Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew 72 hours to withdraw what he described as false and defamatory allegations made against him during a widely circulated press conference.
Gbajabiamila, through his solicitors, Pinheiro LP, is also demanding a public apology, the removal of the alleged defamatory publications from all media platforms, and a written undertaking that no further allegations would be made against him.
The demands are contained in a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, on behalf of the law firm.
According to the letter, Gbajabiamila’s attention was 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 which are not only false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” and were calculated to portray Gbajabiamila as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to hold public office.
Among the allegations listed in the letter were claims that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the alleged take-off grant of an organisation described 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; manipulated security agencies; acted under the influence of intoxicating substances while performing official duties; engaged in corruption, abuse of office and other criminal conduct; and was involved in murder and a criminal cover-up.
The law firm described the allegations as entirely false and defamatory, and said they were unsupported by any evidence.
It also stated that Gbajabiamila had never met, communicated with, or had any personal or official relationship with Prince Matthew, adding that the absence of any prior interaction showed the reckless and malicious nature of the publication.
“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 solicitors stated.
The letter further alleged that the publication had injured the Chief of Staff’s reputation, exposed him to public ridicule and contempt, diminished public confidence in his office and caused reputational damage both within and outside Nigeria.
Pinheiro LP also criticised Prince Matthew for taking the allegations to the media instead of presenting them before competent investigative or judicial authorities.
The firm linked the publication to an ongoing criminal prosecution involving Prince Matthew before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
According to the letter, Prince Matthew is facing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Ors, over allegations bordering on forgery, including the alleged forgery of an appointment letter and presidential letter-headed papers purportedly showing that he had been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It is even more disturbing to our client that you resorted to defaming him through your press statements after a criminal charge had been filed against you,” the letter stated, adding that “trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.”
The solicitors said the publication had generated widespread public attention, with friends, political associates and members of the public contacting Gbajabiamila over the allegations.
Demands and warning
Pinheiro LP directed Prince Matthew to immediately cease and desist from making or publishing any further defamatory statements concerning the Chief of Staff.
The firm also demanded:
The removal of the offending press conference, transcripts, videos, recordings and all related publications from every platform under his control.
A full, unequivocal and unreserved retraction and apology acknowledging that the allegations were false, defamatory and without factual basis. The apology, according to the letter, must be published with equal prominence in at least five national newspapers, on every platform where the publication appeared and across all social media accounts through which it was disseminated.
A written undertaking that no further defamatory statements would be made against their client.
The law firm warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would result in legal proceedings without further notice.
It said the proposed action would include the filing of a criminal complaint for alleged criminal defamation under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory.
It also disclosed that civil proceedings would seek, among other reliefs, ₦10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, which the firm said would be paid to a charity or charities of Gbajabiamila’s choice.
The suit will further 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.