metro
Court Orders Wike to Respond to Tonye Cole’s ₦40bn Defamation Suit
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.
READ ALSO:
- CAC to Begin Nationwide Crackdown on Unregistered PoS Operators by January 2026
- Studies show menopause can reduce women’s memory, concentration by 40%
- South Africa Horror: Gunmen Kill 11 in Pretoria Hostel Shebeen Attack
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
metro
How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers
How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers
Akure, Ondo State – In a brazen late-night raid, armed men abducted three health workers from a Primary Health Clinic in Ijebu, a suburb of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The security guard on duty, Olawale Yaya, told TVC News that the attackers executed the operation with alarming precision. According to him, the assailants arrived in a high-end SUV, which he identified as either a Toyota Venza or a Lexus. The vehicle was parked outside the clinic before the abduction.
“They took three staff members. The gunmen parked on the road. They came with an expensive jeep. It looks like a Toyota Venza or Lexus SUV. It’s not a small sedan car. It’s an SUV. It’s not a bus. It’s a high-end SUV. The gunmen even pressed a button to open the boot. After opening it, they forced the three people inside and drove off,” Yaya recounted.
The attackers specifically targeted staff members who were on duty, assaulting them before forcing them into the boot of their vehicle. The guard described the assailants’ familiarity with the vehicle as “disturbing,” noting how they effortlessly operated the automatic boot before making their escape.
Security agencies in the state have been alerted, and investigations are ongoing to locate the kidnapped health workers and apprehend the perpetrators.
How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers
metro
How Hijab-Wearing Woman Allegedly Abducts Suya Seller’s Daughter in Delta
How Hijab-Wearing Woman Allegedly Abducts Suya Seller’s Daughter in Delta
A 33-year-old suya seller, Abubakar Isiaka, has made a passionate appeal to security agencies and members of the public to assist in locating his three-year-old daughter, who was abducted in Delta State.
The child, identified as Sheripha, aged three years and eight months, was reportedly taken on March 7, 2026, during a burial ceremony in Ogwashi-Uku.
According to the distraught father, the incident occurred amidst the gathering when an unidentified woman wearing a hijab allegedly lured the child away. The suspect reportedly took advantage of the busy environment to carry out the act without raising immediate suspicion.
Isiaka explained that all efforts to locate his daughter since the incident have been unsuccessful, leaving the family in deep distress. He noted that the sudden disappearance of the child has thrown the entire household into emotional turmoil.
“We have searched everywhere and asked around, but there has been no trace of her,” he said, pleading for urgent intervention from security operatives.
The case has reportedly been brought to the attention of relevant authorities, while local residents have also been urged to remain vigilant and report any useful information that could lead to the rescue of the child.
Members of the public with credible information have been encouraged to assist law enforcement agencies in ensuring the safe return of the young girl.
How Hijab-Wearing Woman Allegedly Abducts Suya Seller’s Daughter in Delta
metro
Nigerian Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Oli, Dies Suddenly in US
Nigerian Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Oli, Dies Suddenly in US
A Nigerian Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Oli, has died suddenly in the United States, sparking grief among the Catholic faithful in both Nigeria and abroad.
Fr. Oli reportedly slumped and passed away while taking a walk on Thursday, March 26, 2026. His death was confirmed in an official statement released on Friday, March 27, by the Catholic Diocese of Awka.
The statement, signed by the diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubisi, disclosed that the late cleric was serving as the Administrator of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Faith, South Dakota, at the time of his passing.
“He was ordained on August 23, 2008. Funeral arrangements will be announced soon. May the soul of Rev. Fr. Michael Oli rest in peace, Amen,” the statement read.
Further confirmation came from Scott Bullock, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rapid City, who described the priest’s death as sudden and deeply saddening.
In a message to clergy and faithful, Bishop Bullock stated that Fr. Oli died on the morning of March 26 and was serving as pastor of St. Joseph in Faith, St. Joseph in Mud Butte, and St. Anthony in Red Owl, all in western South Dakota.
The bishop revealed that local authorities have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the priest’s death. According to him, the Deputy Sheriff of Meade County has ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause.
“At this point, we do not know the cause of death, only that he had not been feeling well,” Bishop Bullock said.
He urged priests within the diocese to offer three Masses for the repose of Fr. Oli’s soul, in line with Catholic tradition.
The late priest’s sudden death has drawn condolences from parishioners, clergy, and members of the Catholic community, who have described him as a dedicated servant of God committed to pastoral service both in Nigeria and the United States.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the church authorities in due course.
Nigerian Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Oli, Dies Suddenly in US
-
Entertainment3 days agoYoruba Film Industry Mourns as Actress Bukky Mountain Dies
-
metro2 days ago“We Pay Men to Sleep With Us in Germany” — Nigerian Woman Laments Loneliness Abroad
-
Entertainment2 days agoTragedy in Music Industry as ‘Show Your Style’ Singer Sabinus Dies
-
metro23 hours agoTragedy in Aramoko: Trailer Rams Residential Building, Kills 300‑Level Student
-
News1 day agoFinal Notice: FG Orders Civil Servants to Complete PASGA Verification by March 31
-
metro2 days agoEl-Rufai’s Mother, Hajiya Umma, Dies Amid Son’s Legal Battle
-
metro3 days agoKidnappers Now Using Banks to Receive Ransom Payments — Security Expert Raises Alarm
-
Entertainment1 day agoNollywood Actress Declares Love for Ibrahim Chatta, Offers to Pay Her Own Dowry


