A high court in Abuja has instructed Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to enter an appearance in a N40 billion defamation suit brought against him by Tonye Cole. Channels Incorporated Limited, owners of Channels Television, is also listed as a defendant.
In a notice issued on Friday, the court stated that the case, marked CV/4502/25, is scheduled for mention on December 9 before M. A. Hassan of court 33.
“Take notice that suit no: CV/4502/25 Tonye Patrick Cole vs Nyesom Ezenwo Wike & Anor will come up on the 9th day of December 2025 before Hon. Justice M. A. Hassan (Court 33) for mention,” the notice reads.
Cole’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa, said the suit was filed after Wike and Channels Television allegedly ignored a pre-action notice and a demand letter dated October 8.
Cole, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, is seeking N40 billion in damages over remarks made by Wike during a live appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on September 18.
He contends the statements were false and malicious, causing significant damage to his reputation across personal, professional, and public domains.
Court filings show that Wike’s comments implied Cole was involved in financial misconduct and mismanagement of state resources, including issues related to Rivers state gas and the Olympia Hotel.
Cole’s counsel argued the remarks were defamatory because they attributed dishonesty and wrongdoing to him, harming his reputation both nationally and internationally.
He claims humiliation, mental distress, and reputational damage resulted from what he describes as a “malicious, reckless, and unfounded defamatory broadcast and publication.”
Cole is seeking N500 million for legal costs and a judicial declaration that the statements were false and defamatory.
He also wants an order compelling the defendants to retract the remarks, remove the broadcast from all platforms, and issue a public apology on Channels Television and in at least five national newspapers.
Additionally, he is asking the court for a perpetual injunction preventing the defendants from making further defamatory statements about him.
The court has directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of receiving the writ.