The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged the court to ensure a speedy trial of his N15 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew. The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has fixed November 9, 10 and 13, 2026, for the definite hearing of the case.
Justice Samira Bature fixed the dates on Thursday following a disagreement between the parties over the defendant’s failure to file his statement of defence within the required period. Matthew’s counsel, M.P. Usman, told the court that he had filed a memorandum of appearance on October 14 and requested more time to submit the defence.
However, Gbajabiamila’s lawyers, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Olukayode Enitan, SAN, opposed the request, arguing that the defendant had been served with court processes since July 30, 2026. Pinheiro urged the court to prevent further delays, noting that the claimant’s reputation as a public officer was at stake. Neither Gbajabiamila nor Matthew was present in court.
The suit followed allegations by Matthew that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant reportedly approved for a federal agency. Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations, stating in his court filings that he never met or communicated with Matthew, authorised anyone to act on his behalf, demanded any percentage of the grant or received money from the defendant directly or through an intermediary.
Gbajabiamila is seeking N15 billion in damages, comprising N10 billion in general damages and N5 billion in aggravated damages, as well as N200 million in legal costs. He is also asking the court to compel Matthew to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers and on the social media platforms and online channels where the alleged defamatory statements appeared. The requested apology would remain visible for 30 days.
The court is expected to begin the definite hearing on November 9, with proceedings scheduled to continue on November 10 and 13. The case will determine the claims and defences presented by both parties.
