The ₦15 billion defamation suit filed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, will proceed to trial on November 9.
Justice Samira Bature of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, fixed November 9, 10 and 13 for the hearing following a disagreement between the parties’ lawyers over the defendant’s failure to file a defence.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to Adeyemi, M.P. Usman, informed the court that he had filed a memorandum of appearance on October 14, 2026, and requested additional time to prepare his client’s defence.
However, Gbajabiamila’s lawyers, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Olukayode Enitan, SAN, opposed the request, arguing that the defendant had been served with the court documents on July 30 but failed to respond within the stipulated period.
Pinheiro urged the court to proceed with the case without further delay, stressing the need to resolve the allegations affecting the reputation of a public office holder.
The claimant’s counsel also requested definite hearing dates to enable his client to present and conclude his evidence.
Justice Bature subsequently adjourned the matter to November 9, 10 and 13 for trial.
