By Our Reporter
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will, on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, begin proceeding in the suit number CV/4502/25 filed by Mr Tonye Patrick Cole against Mr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and Channels Incorporated Limited.
Cole, the 2023 APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, is seeking N40 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements made by Wike during a live broadcast programme on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” on 18 September.
According to the writ of summons and the accompanied statement of claim, Cole clearly stated that Wike’s statements during the live broadcast on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” on 18 September were false, malicious, offensive, and damaging to his reputation in his personal, professional and public capacities.
Court documents indicate that Mr Wike referred to Mr Cole in a manner suggesting financial impropriety and mismanagement of state resources, including allegations related to Rivers State gas and the Olympia Hotel.
Cole’s legal team, led by J.S. Okutepa, argued that the statements are defamatory, as they impute dishonesty and wrongdoing, gravely injuring his client’s standing both nationally and internationally.
The claimant is seeking N40 billion for alleged damages resulting from what he described as a “malicious, reckless, and unfounded defamatory broadcast and publications,” which caused him injury, humiliation, mental anguish, and reputational harm.
Cole is also seeking another N500 million for the cost of the legal action, as well as several injunctive and declaratory reliefs.
These include a declaration that the statements were false and defamatory, an order directing the defendants to retract the claims and remove all copies from all platforms and a public apology broadcast on Channels TV and published in at least five national newspapers.
The claimant also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing or disseminating defamatory material related to him.
Cole’s legal team said a pre-action notice and letter of demand dated 8 October were served on both Mr Wike and Channels Television, but the defendants failed to comply, prompting the initiation of court proceedings.
The court has directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of service of the writ.
The case comes up on Tuesday 9 December 2025.
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