ABUJA — Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), has denied ever meeting Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, in person amid an ongoing defamation dispute.
Adeyemi made the clarification during a recent interview, stating that his only contact with the presidential aide was through a third party via phone communication.
“I have never met Femi Gbajabiamila in person. I only spoke to him via a late friend on phone,” he said.
He identified the intermediary as a deceased associate, popularly referred to as “Dollarport Animola,” through whom he claimed the conversations were facilitated, adding that the interactions were limited and did not involve video calls.
The development comes amid a deepening controversy over the alleged existence of the PFIPC, an entity the Presidency has consistently described as nonexistent.
Adeyemi has been at the centre of the dispute, claiming leadership of the council and alleging that it had budgetary recognition, including a reported ₦1.3 billion allocation. However, government officials have denied the legitimacy of the agency.
The controversy escalated after Adeyemi made allegations against Gbajabiamila, including claims of financial demands linked to his purported appointment. In response, the Chief of Staff’s legal team issued a demand for retraction, threatening a ₦10 billion defamation suit and possible criminal proceedings.
Presidential spokespersons have also described Adeyemi as an impostor, while law enforcement authorities are said to be investigating allegations of forgery and impersonation following a petition linked to the matter.
The case is currently before the courts, with proceedings expected to continue later in July.
Despite the allegations against him, Adeyemi has maintained that his actions were aimed at exposing wrongdoing, insisting that the agency had some level of official recognition.
The unfolding dispute has generated widespread public debate, with opinions sharply divided over the claims and counterclaims, even as authorities continue investigations and legal processes take their course.
