A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has fixed March 25, 2026, for hearing in a N40bn defamation suit filed by former Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tonye Cole, against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Justice M.A. Hassan issued the date after granting an order for substituted service, following failed attempts to personally serve Wike with the court documents.
The judge directed that the writ of summons, statement of claim, witness statements, hearing notice and other processes be pasted at the gate of the FCT Administration headquarters in Garki, Abuja.
Cole, in the suit marked CV/4502/25, is demanding N40bn in damages over statements he says Wike made during a September 18 live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He alleged that the remarks falsely suggested he was involved in financial malpractice, mismanagement of state resources, and issues relating to Rivers State gas and the Olympia Hotel.
The former APC governorship candidate maintains the statements were false, malicious and damaging to his personal, professional and public reputation, causing him humiliation, mental distress and reputational harm both in Nigeria and abroad.
He is also asking for N500m to cover the cost of the litigation.
Cole is seeking a series of reliefs, including a court declaration that the alleged statements were defamatory; an order compelling Wike and Channels Television to retract the broadcast; removal of the interview from all platforms; and a public apology to be aired on Channels TV and published in at least five national newspapers.
He is also asking for a perpetual injunction to stop any further publication or dissemination of the disputed remarks.
Justice Hassan issued the substituted service order after Cole’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that efforts to serve Wike personally had proved unsuccessful.
The court has directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of service.
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