The ongoing controversy involving Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has taken another turn after the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reportedly moved him from the custody of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) in Abuja.
The latest development comes amid an escalating legal dispute between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, following allegations of bribery and a multi-billion naira defamation lawsuit.
Adeyemi Relocated After Initial Detention
According to information obtained by Gossip News Now, Adeyemi was initially arrested in Osun State before being taken to the IRT detention facility, where he reportedly remained for two days.
He has now been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in the Federal Capital Territory. While security sources confirmed the relocation, authorities have yet to publicly explain the reason behind the transfer.
Defamation Suit Follows Serious Bribery Allegations
The transfer occurred shortly after Femi Gbajabiamila filed a ₦15 billion defamation case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The lawsuit was prompted by allegations made by Adeyemi, who claimed that the presidential aide sought a 48 percent kickback from a proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant allegedly intended for a federal agency.
In the legal action, Gbajabiamila is requesting:
- ₦10 billion as general damages.
- ₦5 billion as aggravated damages.
- ₦200 million to cover litigation expenses.
- A court order compelling Adeyemi to publicly withdraw the allegations.
- Publication of an apology in five national newspapers.
- A directive requiring the apology to remain pinned across Adeyemi’s social media platforms for 30 days.
Chief of Staff Rejects Every Allegation
Responding through his legal representatives, Gbajabiamila firmly dismissed the accusations, describing them as false, defamatory and intended to damage his reputation.
He insisted that he had never met Adeyemi, never communicated with him directly or indirectly, and never instructed anyone to seek money on his behalf.
According to the court filings, there has never been any official, personal or business relationship between both men.
Claims of Large Payments Surface
Court documents indicate that Adeyemi alleged during a previous press briefing that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary whom he believed represented the Chief of Staff.
He further claimed that an additional ₦200 million was requested to facilitate presidential approvals connected with the proposed agency.
However, Gbajabiamila categorically denied receiving, requesting or authorising any such payments.
Admissions Become Part of Court Evidence
One aspect of the case attracting attention is Adeyemi’s reported interview with social media personality Martins Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan).
According to documents before the court, Adeyemi acknowledged during the discussion that he had never personally met Gbajabiamila.
He also reportedly admitted that he did not independently verify whether the individual he communicated with was genuinely acting for the Chief of Staff.
The filings further suggest that the communications surrounding the alleged transaction were conducted through the late Babatunde Tanimola.
Despite those reported admissions, the suit maintains that Adeyemi later repeated similar allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on July 13, 2026.
Separate Criminal Proceedings Already Underway
Apart from the defamation case, Gbajabiamila informed the court that Adeyemi is already facing criminal prosecution before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The criminal proceedings, identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew & Others, reportedly involve allegations including:
- Forgery.
- Impersonation.
- Operating a government agency that authorities say does not legally exist.
Questions Surround PFIPC
Investigators are also examining issues linked to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organisation that Adeyemi allegedly presented himself as leading in the capacity of Director-General.
The Presidency has maintained that the agency has no legal existence.
Despite that position, reports indicate that the organisation allegedly secured office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat and was linked to a ₦1.3 billion budgetary allocation.
The controversy later intensified after Adeyemi accused Gbajabiamila of requesting a percentage of the proposed ₦27.3 billion grant allegedly earmarked for the organisation.
What This Means
The latest transfer of Adeyemi to the National Cybercrime Centre signals that investigations surrounding the matter remain active.
With both criminal and civil proceedings now unfolding simultaneously, the courts are expected to determine the credibility of the allegations, the authenticity of the evidence presented by both parties and whether any legal violations occurred.
The outcome could have wider implications for accountability, public trust and the handling of allegations involving senior government officials.
Key Takeaways
- Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has been transferred from IRT custody to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
- Femi Gbajabiamila is pursuing a ₦15 billion defamation lawsuit over bribery allegations.
- The Chief of Staff strongly denies ever meeting or communicating with Adeyemi.
- Court filings suggest Adeyemi admitted he never personally verified the identity of the individual he believed represented Gbajabiamila.
- A separate criminal case involving alleged forgery, impersonation and the operation of a purported government agency is also before the Federal High Court.
- The legal status and activities of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) remain central to the broader controversy.
Questions for Readers
- Do you believe the ongoing court proceedings will provide sufficient clarity on the allegations made by both parties?
- What measures should government institutions adopt to prevent disputes involving individuals claiming affiliation with non-existent public agencies?
- Should stricter verification processes be introduced before organisations are granted access to government facilities or public funding?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Your opinions and perspectives contribute meaningfully to informed public discussion and help encourage accountability on issues affecting governance and public trust.
