Political Earthquake: Gbajabiamila's N15bn Defamation Suit Rocking PFIPC Scandal

A significant controversy has erupted in Nigeria concerning a purported agency, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), which has been labeled as fake and unapproved. This unfolding scandal has led to calls for President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to step down from his position. Central to the controversy is Adeniyi Adeyemi, who has been detained for allegedly parading himself as the Director-General of the disputed PFIPC.

Laolu Akande, a former presidential spokesperson, publicly added his voice to those urging Gbajabiamila’s resignation. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Thursday, July 16, Akande emphasized the moral obligation of public officials in such circumstances. He stated, “Gbajabiamila holds it to himself, his family, the President and Nigerians, to step aside. It is just the common human decent thing to do.” Akande highlighted that the arrested suspect, Adeyemi, has publicly denied any knowledge of how the unapproved body was incorporated into the national financial planning, noting, “Adeyemi has told Nigerians that he knew nothing about the itemizing of the ‘fake’ agency in the budget. I’m not saying what he said is true or not true.”

The former aide further argued that allowing high-ranking officials to remain in power amidst such serious accusations severely compromises the integrity of the administration. Akande raised critical questions regarding public perception and trust, asking, “You cannot have somebody making those huge significant claims about those that are in government and then the people are still sitting there. How do you ever think it will create an impression of trust?” He also questioned the fairness of any potential investigation ordered by the President, stating, “How do you think that people will consider that the investigation that the President has ordered is going to be fair if they are still there?”

In a direct response to the allegations and the controversy, Femi Gbajabiamila has initiated legal action against Adeniyi Adeyemi, suing him for alleged defamation. The lawsuit, filed before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court, seeks substantial financial compensation. Gbajabiamila is demanding N10 billion in general damages and an additional N5 billion for aggravated damages. Furthermore, the Chief of Staff is seeking N200 million to cover the cost of the legal action and an order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five prominent national newspapers.