Court Orders Substituted Service on Nyesom Wike in ₦40bn Defamation Suit

Court Orders Substituted Service on Nyesom Wike in ₦40bn Defamation Suit

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gwarinpa, has ordered that a ₦40 billion defamation lawsuit instituted against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, be served through substituted means. The directive was issued by Justice M. A. Hassan while ruling on an ex parte application brought before the court by former Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole.

Cole, in suit number CV/4502/25, is suing Wike and Channels Television over statements made during the September 18 edition of Politics Today, which he alleges were defamatory and damaging to his reputation. The claimant contends that the minister’s remarks falsely linked him to financial misconduct involving the Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel.

Through his counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), Cole argued that the broadcast suggested “dishonesty and wrongdoing,” severely tarnishing his image both locally and internationally. He is seeking ₦40 billion in damages, along with an additional ₦500 million to cover litigation expenses.

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Beyond monetary compensation, Cole is also requesting several declaratory and injunctive orders, including a court declaration that Wike’s comments were false, a directive mandating the defendants to retract the statements, delete all versions of the broadcast from their platforms, and issue a public apology on Channels Television and in at least five national newspapers.

Cole further seeks a perpetual injunction restraining Wike and Channels Television from making or broadcasting any future defamatory statements about him.

At Tuesday’s session, Okutepa informed the court that attempts to serve Wike personally had failed, prompting the request for substituted service. He added that neither Wike nor Channels responded to the pre-action notice and demand letter dated October 8.

After reviewing the application, Justice Hassan 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 directed the defendants to enter appearance within 21 days of service.

The matter has been adjourned to March 24 and 25, 2026, for hearing.

Court Orders Substituted Service on Nyesom Wike in ₦40bn Defamation Suit