By Yinka Giwa
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gwarinpa Division, has ordered substituted service on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a ₦40 billion defamation suit instituted against him by Sahara Energy co-founder and former Rivers APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole.
Justice M. A. Hassan issued the directive while ruling on an ex parte application in suit No. CV/4502/25 filed by Cole against Wike and Channels Television (Channels Incorporated Limited). Cole alleges that comments made by Wike during the September 18 broadcast of Politics Today were defamatory and damaging to his reputation both locally and internationally.
In his statement of claim, Cole said Wike’s televised remarks falsely linked him to financial impropriety relating to Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel. His counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that the minister’s statements conveyed “dishonesty and wrongdoing,” causing severe reputational injury to his client.
Cole is demanding ₦40 billion in general damages and an additional ₦500 million as the cost of litigation. He is also seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs, including a judicial declaration that Wike’s comments were false and defamatory, an order compelling Wike and Channels Television to retract the statements, remove all versions of the broadcast from their platforms, and issue a public apology aired on Channels Television and published in at least five national newspapers.
The claimant further seeks a perpetual injunction restraining both defendants from making or publishing any future defamatory statements against him.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Okutepa informed the court that multiple attempts to serve Wike personally had been unsuccessful, prompting the request for substituted service. He added that a pre-action notice and demand letter dated October 8 were delivered to both defendants but received no response.
After considering the application, Justice Hassan ordered that the writ of summons, statement of claim, witness depositions, hearing notice, and all accompanying court processes be pasted at the entrance gate of the FCT Minister’s office in Garki, Abuja. The court also directed Wike and Channels Television to enter their appearance within 21 days of service.
The matter was adjourned to March 24 and 25, 2026, for hearing.