Gbajabiamila Seeks Speedy Trial in N15bn Defamation Suit

BY MICHAEL AKINOLA 

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has fixed November 9, 10 and 13 for the definite trial of a N15 billion defamation suit instituted by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.

The dates were fixed on Thursday by Justice Samira Bature following a disagreement between counsel over the defendant’s failure to file his defence within the prescribed period.

At the resumed proceedings in suit number FCT/HC/CV/3179/2026, counsel to the defendant, M.P. Usman, informed the court that he had filed a memorandum of appearance on Wednesday, October 14, and sought additional time to file his client’s defence.

However, counsel to Gbajabiamila, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Olukayode Enitan, SAN, opposed the request, arguing that the defendant had been served with the relevant court processes since July 30, 2026.

Pinheiro, who addressed the court on behalf of the claimant, said the period allowed for the defendant to respond had expired in September, yet no defence had been filed.

He urged the court to fix definite dates for the trial, arguing that the integrity of a public officer was at stake and that the matter should proceed without further delay.

The claimant’s counsel also requested three definite dates to enable Gbajabiamila to present and conclude his case within the scheduled period.

Justice Bature subsequently adjourned the matter to November 9, 10 and 13 for definite trial.

Neither Gbajabiamila nor Matthew was personally present in court.

Pinheiro and Enitan appeared for the claimant alongside Jamiu Agoro and Chioma Olisakwe, while Usman represented the defendant.

In the suit, Gbajabiamila is seeking N15 billion in damages over allegations by Matthew that he demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion take-off grant approved for a federal agency.

The claimant is seeking N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages and N200 million as the cost of the action.

He is also asking the court to compel Matthew to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers and display the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the allegedly defamatory statements were published for 30 days.

In his statement of claim, Gbajabiamila denied ever meeting or communicating with Matthew or authorising anyone to act on his behalf.

He also denied demanding any percentage of the alleged grant or receiving money, directly or through an intermediary, from the defendant.