A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has ordered that a ₦40 billion defamation suit against the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, be delivered through substituted means. The order was given on Tuesday by Justice M. A. Hassan after the court received an ex parte request from Tonye Cole, a former APC governorship candidate in Rivers State.
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Cole filed the suit against Wike and Channels Television over comments the minister made during a live programme on September 18. Cole told the court that the remarks damaged his name and portrayed him as being involved in financial misconduct linked to gas projects and the Olympia Hotel. His counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), explained that attempts to serve Wike directly had failed, which made substituted service necessary.
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In the case marked CV/4502/25, Cole is asking for ₦40 billion as compensation for harm to his reputation and an additional ₦500 million for the cost of the suit. He also wants the court to order Wike and Channels Television to withdraw the statements, remove the broadcast from all their platforms, and issue a public apology on air and in national newspapers. He is further seeking an order stopping both defendants from making future statements he considers damaging.
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The court directed that all court papers, including the writ of summons, claim documents, witness statements and hearing notices, be pasted at the gate of the FCT Minister’s office in Garki, Abuja. Both defendants are required to enter an appearance within 21 days.
The case is scheduled for hearing on March 24 and 25, 2026.
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