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N40bn defamation suit: Court orders substituted service on Wike
Court Orders ₦40bn Defamation Suit Against Nyesom Wike to Be Served by Substituted Means
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has ordered 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 issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by former Rivers State APC governorship candidate, 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 the political programme Politics Today, which he claims were defamatory.
In his statement of claim, Cole alleged that Wike’s remarks during the broadcast were false, malicious, and injurious, portraying him as a person involved in financial wrongdoing, especially concerning the Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel ventures.
“Dishonesty and Wrongdoing” — Cole’s Legal Team
Representing Cole, senior advocate Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) told the court that the statements made on the programme amounted to defamation, suggesting “dishonesty and wrongdoing,” and severely harming Cole’s reputation within and outside Nigeria.
Cole is demanding ₦40 billion as compensation for reputational damage and an additional ₦500 million to cover the cost of instituting the suit.
He is also seeking multiple injunctive and declaratory orders, including:
- A declaration that Wike’s statements were false and defamatory
- An order compelling the defendants to retract the statements
- Removal of all versions of the publication from their platforms
- A public apology broadcast on Channels Television
- Publication of the apology 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 content about him.
Court Approves Substituted Service
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Okutepa informed the court that several attempts to serve Wike personally had failed, prompting the request for substituted service.
He added that although a pre-action notice and a demand letter dated October 8 were delivered to both defendants, neither responded, making litigation inevitable.
After reviewing the motion, Justice Hassan granted the request and ordered that the writ of summons, statement of claim, witness statements, hearing notice, and all accompanying documents be pasted at the gate of the FCT Minister’s office in Garki, Abuja.
The court further directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of service.
The case has been adjourned to March 24 and 25, 2026, for hearing.
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