Alleged defamation: Nnamdi Kanu sues Imo CP, demands N10bn damages

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Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, has filed a lawsuit against Mr. Aboki Danjuma, the Imo police commissioner, seeking N10 billion in general damages for alleged defamation.

In a new lawsuit brought before the Abuja High Court by his attorney, Maxwell Opara, Kanu also sought N50 million in exemplary damages from the CP.

The head of IPOB requested in the writ of summons, marked CV3179/2025, that 10% post-judgment interest be paid annually on the full judgment amo

unt from the date of judgment until it is totally liquidated.

He requested a ruling that the July 25 press release from Mr. Danjuma “attributing the gruesome killings in Imo communities to IPOB/ESN (Eastern Security Network) members is false, unsubstantiated, speculative and defamatory.”

He sought “an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant whether by himself or officers of the Nigerian Police Force from further making such or similar defamatory statements.

“An order of this honourable court directing the defendant to issue a public retraction and apology to the claimant in at least two national dallies and on national television.”

In the suit dated August 12 but filed by Mr. Opara on August 14, Danjuma is the only defendant, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while Kanu is the claimant.

Within two hours following an attack at Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma, and Ndiakuwata Uno in the Arondizuogu Ideato Local Government Area (LGA) on or around July 25, Kanu said in his statement of claims through Opara that the CP released a press release that was picked up by mainstream media, “wherein he falsely and maliciously attributed the gruesome killings in these Imo State communities to members of IPOB/ESN.”

The lawyer averred that in the press release, the defendant alleged that; “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu orchestrated the attacks- gruesome killings in Imo communities.”
He maintained that the news release was issued at the same time that IPOB had appealed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria the contentious ex-parte court case that had declared it to be a terrorist organization.

“Hence, the order is subject to appellate scrutiny making any reliance on it a matter sub judice (lis pendis),” the lawyer said.

Besides, Opara claimed that Kanu is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court on an allegation of terrorism and that “the said trial is pending and undecided.”

Opara claimed that the CP’s statements were detrimental to his client’s right to a fair trial because they were made while the case was still pending.

“The claimant avers that the false statement by the defendant was made without proper investigation, evidence or credible intelligence as no arrest or criminal prosecution has been initiated after the press release.”

The attorney claimed that Danjuma’s alleged remarks had seriously harmed Kanu’s reputation both domestically and abroad.

“The claimant contends that the statements made by the defendant were defamatory, false and actuated by malice, and intended to sway public opinion against him and IPOB,” the lawyer said.

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