N40bn defamation suit: Court orders substituted service on Wike

File photo of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has directed that a ₦40 billion defamation lawsuit be served on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, through substituted means.

Justice M. A. Hassan granted the order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by a former All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole.

Cole, in suit number CV/4502/25, dragged Wike and Channels Television (Channels Incorporated Limited) before the court over comments made during the September 18 edition of Politics Today, which he claims were defamatory.

In his statement of claim, Cole alleged that Wike’s remarks on the live programme were false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation, arguing that the minister’s statements portrayed him as being involved in financial misconduct, particularly regarding Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel.

Representing Cole, senior advocate Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) told 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.

Cole is demanding ₦40 billion as compensation for the alleged reputational damage, along with another ₦500 million to cover the cost of the suit.

He is also asking for 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.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Okutepa informed the court that efforts to serve Wike personally had been unsuccessful, prompting the request for substituted service.

He added that 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.

The court also mandated the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of service.

The case was adjourned to March 24 and 25, 2026, for hearing.

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