The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has fixed November 9, 10 and 13, 2026, for definite trial in the ₦15 billion defamation suit filed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.
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Justice Samira Bature fixed the dates on Thursday following 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 requested 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 for the claimant, said the period allowed for the defendant to respond had expired in September without a defence being filed.
He urged the court to fix definite trial dates, arguing that the integrity of a public officer was at stake and that the matter should proceed without further delay.
The claimant’s legal team also asked for three definite dates to enable Gbajabiamila present and conclude his case within the scheduled period.
Justice Bature consequently adjourned the suit 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.
The suit arose from allegations by Matthew that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a ₦27.3 billion take-off grant said to have been approved for a federal agency.
Gbajabiamila has denied the allegation and is seeking ₦15 billion in damages, comprising ₦10 billion in general damages and ₦5 billion in aggravated damages. He is also claiming ₦200 million as cost of the action.
He is further asking the court to compel Matthew to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers and to display the apology for 30 days on the social media platforms and online channels where the allegedly defamatory statements were published.
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 from the defendant, either directly or through an intermediary.
The court is now expected to commence definite trial on November 9.
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