A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to appear in a N40 billion defamation lawsuit filed by businessman and 2023 Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Tonye Patrick Cole.
Channels Television and its parent company, Channels Incorporated Limited, were joined as the second defendant in the suit marked CV/4502/25.
The case, assigned to Justice M.A. Hassan of Court 33 is scheduled for first mention on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
The legal battle stems from remarks made by Wike during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 18, 2025.
Cole alleges that the minister falsely accused him of financial misconduct, mismanagement of state assets, and questionable dealings involving the Rivers State gas turbine and the Olympia Hotel.
In court documents seen by journalists, Cole, represented by fiery SAN Jibrin Okutepa, described the statements as “malicious, reckless, and utterly unfounded,” claiming they have caused him severe reputational damage both in Nigeria and abroad, along with mental anguish and public humiliation.
Among the reliefs sought by the claimant:
- N40 billion in general and exemplary damages
- N500 million as cost of litigation
- An order compelling Wike and Channels TV to publicly retract the statements
- Deletion of the broadcast from all online platforms
- A prominent apology aired on Channels Television and published in at least five national newspapers
- A perpetual injunction stopping further defamatory publications against him
Cole’s lawyers stated that despite serving a pre-action notice and letter of demand on October 8, 2025, both Wike and Channels Television failed to respond or retract the alleged defamatory comments, leaving them with no option but to approach the court.
The defendants have been ordered to enter appearance within 21 days of service of the court processes.
The suit adds fresh heat to the long-running political rivalry between Wike and allies of his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with Tonye Cole being a known backer of the Rivers State governor.
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