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