A high court in Abuja has ordered Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to enter an appearance in a N40 billion defamation suit filed against him by businessman and politician Tonye Cole. Channels Incorporated Limited, the parent company of Channels Television, is also named as a defendant.
The suit, marked CV/4502/25, is scheduled for mention on December 9, 2025, before Justice M. A. Hassan of Court 33. The court notice, seen on Friday, directed the defendants to respond within 21 days of receiving the writ.
Cole’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa, stated that the suit arose after Wike and Channels Television allegedly failed to comply with a pre-action notice and a letter of demand dated October 8.
The former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State is seeking N40 billion in damages over statements made by Wike during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 18. Cole contends that Wike’s remarks were false, malicious, and damaging to his personal, professional, and public reputation.
Court documents indicate that Wike’s comments allegedly suggested Cole’s involvement in financial misconduct and mismanagement of state resources, including issues related to Rivers State gas and the Olympia Hotel.
Cole’s counsel argues the statements were defamatory, imputing dishonesty and wrongdoing, thereby tarnishing his national and international standing.
In the suit, Cole claims he suffered humiliation, mental anguish, and reputational harm due to what he describes as a “malicious, reckless, and unfounded defamatory broadcast and publication.” He is requesting N500 million to cover litigation costs, as well as a judicial declaration that the statements were false and defamatory.
Cole also seeks an order compelling the defendants to retract the claims, delete the broadcast from all platforms, and issue a public apology on Channels Television and in at least five national newspapers.
Additionally, he is pursuing a perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants from publishing further defamatory material about him.
