A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Gwarinpa on Tuesday directed that a N40 billion defamation suit filed against the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, be served by substituted means.
Justice M. A. Hassan, ruling on an ex-parte application, ordered that the writ of summons, statement of claims, witness statements on oath, hearing notice, and all court documents be affixed to the gate of the FCT headquarters in Garki, Abuja. The hearing for the suit, filed under case number CV/4502/25, was fixed for March 24 and 25, 2026.
Plaintiff Alleges Defamation by Wike
The plaintiff, Mr Tonye Patrick Cole, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State in 2023, dragged Wike and Channels Incorporated Limited to court over alleged defamatory statements.
Cole claims that during a live broadcast on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” on September 18, 2025, Wike made false, malicious, and offensive statements that harmed his reputation in personal, professional, and public capacities.
READ ALSO: Rivers LG Poll Could Have Been Better Conducted – Tonye Cole
Court documents indicate that Wike allegedly suggested financial impropriety and mismanagement of state resources, including matters related to Rivers State gas and the Olympia Hotel.
Cole’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa SAN, argued that the statements are defamatory, as they impute dishonesty and wrongdoing and gravely injure Cole’s standing nationally and internationally.
Reliefs Sought by the Plaintiff
Cole is seeking N40 billion in damages for the alleged defamatory broadcast, which he claims caused injury, humiliation, mental anguish, and reputational harm.
He is also seeking N500 million for legal costs and several injunctive and declaratory reliefs, including a declaration that the statements were false and defamatory, an order directing the defendants to retract the claims and remove all copies from all platforms, a public apology broadcast on Channels TV and published in at least five national newspapers and a perpetual injunction restraining further publication of defamatory material
Cole’s legal team noted that a pre-action notice and letter of demand dated October 8, 2025, were served on Wike and Channels TV, but the defendants failed to respond, prompting the court action.
Court Directives and Next Steps
The court has directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of service of the writ. The substituted service ensures that the suit proceeds despite previous difficulties in serving Wike with the court documents.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
