A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has scheduled November 9, 10 and 13 for the commencement of trial in a N15 billion defamation suit filed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, against Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Justice Samira Bature fixed the dates on Thursday following a disagreement between the parties’ lawyers over Adeyemi’s request for additional time to file his defence.

At the resumed hearing, Kemi Pinheiro and Olukayode Enitan, counsel to Gbajabiamila, opposed the request made by M.P. Usman, who represents Adeyemi.

Usman told the court that he had filed a memorandum of appearance on Wednesday, October 14, and sought more time to respond to the suit.

However, Pinheiro argued that Adeyemi had been served with the relevant court documents on July 30, 2026, and that the deadline for filing his defence had expired in September.

He urged the court not to allow further delays, arguing that the case concerned the integrity of a public officer. Gbajabiamila’s legal team also requested three hearing dates to enable the claimant to present and conclude his case.

Justice Bature subsequently fixed November 9, 10 and 13 for the trial.

Neither Gbajabiamila nor Adeyemi was present in court.

Pinheiro and Enitan appeared for the claimant, alongside Jamiu Agoro and Chioma Olisakwe, while Usman represented the defendant.