Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has sued the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, demanding N10 billion in general damages over alleged defamation.
Mr Kanu, in a fresh suit filed by his lawyer, Maxwell Opara, at the Abuja High Court, also demanded an award of N50 million as exemplary damages against the CP.
The IPOB leader, in the writ of summons marked: CV3179/2025, sought an award of 10 per cent post-judgment interest per annum on the entire judgment sum from the date of judgment till same is fully liquidated.
He sought a declaration that Mr Danjuma’s statement published on July 25 “attributing the gruesome killings in Imo State 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 Nigeria 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.”
While Kanu is the claimant, Danjuma is the sole defendant in the suit dated August 12 but filed August 14 by Mr Opara.
Mr Kanu, in his statement of claims, through Mr Opara, alleged that on or about July 25, the CP, within two hours of an attack at Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma and Ndiakuwata Uno in Arondizuogu Ideato Local Government Area (LGA), issued a press release published 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 statement, the defendant alleged that;
“IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu orchestrated the attacks- gruesome killings in Imo communities.”
He argued that the statement came at the time the IPOB had appealed the controversial ex-parte judicial proceeding declaring it a terrorist group at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Hence, the order is subject to appellate scrutiny making any reliance on it a matter sub judice (lis pendis),” the lawyer said.
Besides, Mr Opara argued 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.”
Mr Opara said the CP’s pronouncements were made while the matter was sub judice and therefore prejudicial to the fair trial rights of his client.
He stated, “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 lawyer averred that the statements allegedly made by Mr Danjuma caused serious damage to Mr Kanu’s reputation nationally and internationally.
“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.
(NAN)