BY VICTOR BUORO – The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has directed that a ₦40 billion defamation lawsuit be served through substituted means on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Justice M. A. Hassan granted the order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 Rivers State governorship election.
In the suit number CV/4502/25, Cole is sueing Wike and Channels Television (Channels Incorporated Limited) over comments made during the September 18 edition of Politics Today, which he claims were defamatory.
Cole alleged in his statement of claim that Wike’s remarks on the live programme were false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation, noting that the minister’s comments portrayed him as being involved in financial misconduct, particularly regarding Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel.
His counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) informed the court that the broadcast amounted to defamation as it suggested “dishonesty and wrongdoing,” severely harming his client’s reputation both within and outside Nigeria.
Consequently, Cole is demanding ₦40 billion as compensation for the alleged reputational damage, along with another ₦500 million to cover the cost of the suit.
Additionally, the Rivers State-born politician is seeking injunctive and declaratory orders, including a declaration that the statements were false and defamatory, a directive for the defendants to retract the publication, remove all versions from their platforms and issue a public apology aired on Channels Television and published in at least five national newspapers.
The claimant further seeks a perpetual injunction restraining Wike and Channels Television from issuing or disseminating any future defamatory statements about him.
Okutepa had during the Tuesday’s proceedings informed the Court that efforts to serve Wike personally had been unsuccessful, prompting the request for substituted service.
According to him, although a pre-action notice and letter of demand dated October 8 had been delivered to both defendants, they did not respond, making litigation unavoidable.
Justice Hassan, after reviewing the request, ordered that the writ of summons, statement of claim, witness statements, hearing notice, and all accompanying court documents be pasted at the gate of the FCT Minister’s office in Garki, Abuja.
However, with the court mandating the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of service, the case was adjourned to March 24 and 25, 2026, for further hearing.
