A High Court in Abuja has ordered Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to enter an appearance in a ₦40 billion defamation suit filed against him by Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 governorship candidate in Rivers State.
Channels Incorporated Limited, owners of Channels Television, is also listed as a defendant in the case. The matter, marked CV/4502/25, is scheduled for mention on December 9 before Justice M. A. Hassan of Court 33.
According to the court notice issued Friday, December 5, Cole’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Jibrin Okutepa, filed the suit after Wike and Channels TV allegedly failed to comply with a pre-action notice and demand letter dated October 8.
The suit centers on comments Wike made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 18. Cole claims the statements were false, malicious, and damaging to his personal, professional, and public reputation. Court filings indicate that the remarks suggested Cole was involved in financial misconduct and mismanagement of state resources, including Rivers State gas assets and the Olympia Hotel.
Cole’s counsel argues that the comments were defamatory, as they imputed dishonesty and wrongdoing, harming his standing both nationally and internationally. He is seeking ₦40 billion in damages, ₦500 million in litigation costs, and a judicial declaration that the statements were false and defamatory.
In addition, Cole wants the court to compel Wike and Channels TV to retract the claims, delete the broadcast from all platforms, and publish an apology on Channels Television and in at least five national newspapers. He is also requesting a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making further defamatory statements about him.
The court has directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of receiving the writ.
Emman Tochi ✔
Emma Tochi is Naija247news Media Northern Bureau Chief, he's based in FCT Abuja. He overseas the northern operations of this business media
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