The N15bn defamation suit filed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against the controversial Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, will proceed to trial on November 9, following a disagreement between their lawyers over the defendant’s failure to file a defence.
Justice Samira Bature of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday, fixed November 9, 10 and 13 for the hearing after counsel for Adeyemi sought additional time to respond to the allegations against him.
At the proceedings in suit number FCT/HC/CV/3179/2026, the defendant’s lawyer, M.P. Usman, informed the court that he had filed a memorandum of appearance on October 14, 2026.
He subsequently requested more time to prepare and file his client’s defence.
The request was opposed by Gbajabiamila’s lawyers, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) and Olukayode Enitan (SAN), who maintained that Matthew had received the court documents on July 30, 2026, but failed to respond within the time allowed.
Pinheiro, speaking for the claimant, told the court that the deadline for filing the defence had passed in September without the defendant taking the required step.
He urged the judge to move the case forward, arguing that the allegations touched on the reputation of a public office holder and should be resolved without unnecessary delay.
The senior lawyer also asked the court to allocate three definite hearing dates so that his client could present his case and conclude his evidence within the period.
Justice Bature granted the request for definite trial dates, adjourning the matter to November 9, 10 and 13.
Neither Gbajabiamila nor Adeyemi attended the proceedings in person. Pinheiro and Enitan appeared for the claimant with 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 a N27.3bn take-off grant approved for the PFIPC.
The agency has since been disowned by the Federal Government, which is prosecuting Adeyemi in court.
Gbajabiamila is asking the court to award him N10bn in general damages and N5bn in aggravated damages, in addition to N200m in legal costs.
He is also seeking an order directing Adeyemi to retract the alleged defamatory statements and publish an apology in five national newspapers.
The claimant further wants the apology displayed for 30 days on every social media platform and online channel where the disputed statements appeared.
In his statement of claim, Gbajabiamila denied having any personal or communication links with Adeyemi, saying he had neither met the defendant nor authorised anyone to represent him in dealings with him.
He also denied requesting a share of the grant or receiving any money connected with it, whether personally or through an intermediary.