Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum Challenges Gbajabiamila’s N10bn Defamation Suit

Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum has challenged the N10 billion defamation suit filed by the presidential Chief of Staff, , describing the legal action as an attempt to frustrate an independent investigation into allegations linked to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group’s President, Akin Malaolu, said the forum expected Gbajabiamila to cooperate with investigators instead of pursuing legal action. The forum argued that while every citizen has the constitutional right to seek legal redress, public officials facing serious allegations should also support efforts aimed at uncovering the truth.

Furthermore, the forum questioned why the defamation suit targeted PFIPC convener Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. It claimed that security agencies had arrested Adeyemi’s father in Ogbomoso, while Adeyemi had already been arraigned by the government. It also alleged that investigations involving the (EFCC) and the (DSS) were ongoing.

The group also criticised the Presidency, alleging that it appeared reluctant to ask the Chief of Staff to step aside while both civil and criminal matters remain unresolved. According to the forum, allowing him to remain in office could undermine public confidence in the government’s commitment to accountability.

However, the forum maintained that its position was based on the need for transparency rather than politics. It urged the government to allow investigators to complete their work without interference and insisted that no public official should be seen as being above scrutiny.

Neither Gbajabiamila nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the latest statement at the time of reporting.