Court Orders Wike to Respond to Tonye Cole’s ₦40bn Defamation Suit

An Abuja High Court has directed Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to formally respond to a ₦40 billion defamation suit filed against him by Tonye Cole, a former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

Channels Television, owned by Channels Incorporated Limited, is also listed as a defendant in the case.

According to a court notice issued on Friday, the matter—Suit No. CV/4502/25—is scheduled for mention on December 9, 2025, before Justice M. A. Hassan of Court 33.

Cole’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Jibrin Okutepa, stated that the lawsuit was initiated after Wike and Channels TV allegedly failed to act on a pre-action notice and demand letter dated October 8.

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The suit stems from comments made by Wike during a live interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on September 18, which Cole describes as false, malicious, and damaging to his personal, professional, and public reputation.

Court documents show that Wike’s remarks appeared to link Cole to alleged financial impropriety and the mishandling of assets connected to Rivers State gas operations and the Olympia Hotel. Cole argues that the statements portrayed him as dishonest and involved in wrongdoing, thereby harming his national and international standing.

Cole claims the broadcast caused him humiliation, mental distress, and severe reputational damage.

In addition to the ₦40 billion damages, Cole is demanding ₦500 million for litigation costs and a court declaration that the comments were defamatory. He also seeks an order compelling Wike and Channels TV to retract the allegations, delete the broadcast from all platforms, and issue a public apology on Channels Television and in at least five national newspapers.

Furthermore, Cole is requesting a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making any further defamatory statements against him.

The court has given the defendants 21 days from the date of service to enter their appearance.

Court Orders Wike to Respond to Tonye Cole’s ₦40bn Defamation Suit

CAC to Begin Nationwide Crackdown on Unregistered PoS Operators by January 2026

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a firm warning to Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators across Nigeria, announcing that it will soon commence a nationwide enforcement action against businesses that have failed to complete their mandatory CAC registration.

In a statement released on its official Instagram page on Saturday, the Commission said it has observed an alarming increase in unregistered PoS service providers, despite ongoing sensitisation efforts.

The CAC recalled that it had earlier signalled plans for a regulatory crackdown in 2024 — a proposal that sparked opposition from many PoS agents and operators.

According to the Commission, the rising number of unregistered PoS businesses violates both the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agent Banking Regulations.

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The agency also criticised some fintech companies, accusing them of onboarding PoS agents without proper registration, a practice the CAC described as irresponsible and dangerous to the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system. It warned that such actions expose millions of Nigerians — including small businesses and rural communities — to significant financial risks, fraud, and investment vulnerabilities.

The Commission reiterated that effective 1 January 2026, all PoS operators must complete their CAC registration or risk being forced out of business.

According to the statement:

“Effective 1 January 2026, no PoS operator will be allowed to operate without CAC registration. Security agencies will enforce nationwide compliance. Unregistered PoS terminals will be seized or shut down. Fintechs enabling illegal operations will be watch-listed and reported to the CBN. All operators are advised to regularise immediately. Compliance is mandatory.”

The CAC stressed that the enforcement exercise will be carried out in collaboration with security agencies to ensure full compliance across the country.

CAC to Begin Nationwide Crackdown on Unregistered PoS Operators by January 2026

Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami denies allegations of terrorism financing, calls report misleading

Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has dismissed reports linking him to terrorism financing, describing the claims as a “vague assertion” politically manipulated to tarnish his reputation.

In a statement on Saturday, Malami addressed a publication by SaharaReporters on December 5 titled: “Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others – Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd).” The article suggested that investigations by Operation Service Wide (OSW), a multi-agency counter-terrorism task force, had linked him and other prominent Nigerians to terror suspects.

The allegations were reportedly made by Major General Ali-Keffi (retd.), a former General Officer Commanding appointed in 2021 to lead OSW, which works with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to identify Boko Haram financiers.

Malami refuted the claims, stating that he has “never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated, or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency, within or outside Nigeria, in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence.” He emphasized that Ali-Keffi merely noted potential “business” or “institutional” links, which were misrepresented in the media headline.

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“That important clarification was unfortunately overshadowed by a headline and framing capable of misleading well-meaning members of the public… politically manipulated by my political opponents,” Malami said.

Highlighting his record, Malami noted his reforms in office, including the establishment of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He said these measures strengthened Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework and contributed to the country’s removal from the FATF grey list.

Malami warned the media to exercise caution when reporting on national security matters, emphasizing that engagement with diverse individuals is a normal part of public service and should not be misconstrued as evidence of wrongdoing.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and stated he reserves the right to seek legal redress against publications that misrepresent his role in Nigeria’s fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami denies allegations of terrorism financing, calls report misleading