The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarinpa has authorised substituted service on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a defamation suit filed by former Rivers APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole.
The ruling was delivered by Justice M. A. Hassan during proceedings on Tuesday, December 9.
Cole, through suit number CV/4502/25, is challenging comments made by Wike during the 18 September edition of Politics Today, broadcast by Channels Television.
He argues that the remarks falsely linked him to financial impropriety involving Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel. In his view, the statements were malicious and deeply damaging to his reputation.
His counsel, Jibrin Okutepa SAN, told the court that the broadcast suggested “dishonesty and wrongdoing,” which he said had tarnished Cole’s credibility both locally and internationally.
Cole is demanding ₦40 billion as compensation for reputational harm, along with ₦500 million to cover litigation expenses.
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Beyond financial claims, Cole is seeking several orders, including a declaration that the comments were false and defamatory, a directive compelling Wike and Channels Television to retract the broadcast, take down all versions from their platforms, and publish a public apology on Channels Television and in at least five national newspapers.
He is also requesting a perpetual injunction preventing any further defamatory statements.
Okutepa informed the court that attempts to serve Wike personally had proved unsuccessful.
He noted that both defendants received a pre-action notice and a demand letter dated 8 October but offered no response, making legal action necessary.
Justice Hassan granted leave for substituted service, directing that all court documents, including the writ of summons and witness statements, be pasted at the gate of the FCT Minister’s office in Garki, Abuja. The defendants were also ordered to enter an appearance within 21 days.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on 24 and 25 March 2026.