Tonye Cole, former governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has instituted a ₦40.5 billion defamation suit against Nyesom Wike, minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Gatekeepers News reports that the suit, filed at the FCT High Court under case number CV/4502/25, was lodged on Friday, November 7.
It follows a previous letter dated October 8, in which Cole’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, accused Wike of making damaging and baseless remarks during a live broadcast of Politics Today on Channels Television aired on September 18, 2025.
In the letter, Wike was alleged to have called Cole a thief, accused him of diverting state resources, and claimed he sold Rivers State gas assets for $308 million.
Okutepa said those comments, broadcast nationally and internationally, inflicted severe harm on Cole’s reputation, caused mental distress, and damaged his goodwill.
The lawyer stated that the interview remains accessible on Channels Television’s official YouTube page, continuing to cause reputational injury. He added that Wike acted “recklessly and without factual or legal foundation.”
Cole had initially demanded a public apology and full retraction of the remarks within 14 days through the same television platform and in at least three national newspapers.
However, following Wike’s refusal to comply, Cole proceeded with legal action, listing Wike and Channels Incorporated Ltd as first and second defendants.
In his statement of claim, Cole alleged that Wike falsely accused him and former governor Rotimi Amaechi of crippling Rivers State’s resources and seizing public properties, including the Olympia Hotel. He further accused Channels Television of rebroadcasting the defamatory remarks without due verification.
Cole contends that the statements are inconsistent with his reputation as an international businessman and philanthropist.
He is asking the court to declare Wike’s comments as false, malicious, and defamatory, and to order their complete retraction and removal from all media platforms.
The claimant also seeks a court order compelling the defendants to issue a public apology on Politics Today and in at least five widely circulated national newspapers.
In addition, he requests a perpetual injunction restraining both defendants and their associates from further publishing any defamatory material about him.
Cole is demanding ₦40 billion in general damages and an additional ₦500 million to cover legal costs.
