The attention of the public is hereby drawn to the commencement of legal proceedings initiated by Mr. Tonye Patrick Cole, former 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, against Mr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Channels Incorporated Limited, operators of Channels Television.
The suit, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and marked CV/4502/25, is scheduled for mention on Tuesday, 9 December 2025.
Mr Cole is seeking N40 billion in damages for defamatory statements allegedly made by Mr Wike during a live appearance on Channels Television’s programme Politics Today on 18 September 2025. According to the writ of summons and statement of claim, the statements were false, malicious, offensive, and calculated to damage Mr Cole’s reputation nationally and internationally.
The defamatory allegations, as contained in the court documents, include insinuations of financial misconduct and mismanagement of public resources, particularly relating to Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel. Mr Cole’s legal team, led by J.S. Okutepa, SAN, argues that the remarks imputed dishonesty, corruption, and wrongdoing, thereby tarnishing Mr Cole’s personal, professional, and public image.
In addition to the N40 billion damages sought, Mr Cole is asking the court for:
- N500 million as cost of the legal action
- A declaration that the statements were false and defamatory
- An order compelling the defendants to retract the statements from all media platforms
- A public apology to be broadcast on Channels Television and published in at least five national newspapers
- A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further defamatory publications about him
Mr Cole’s legal team notes that a pre-action notice and demand letter dated 8 October 2025 were duly served on both defendants, but no remedial steps were taken, thereby necessitating the commencement of this legal action.
The court has directed the defendants to enter appearance within 21 days of service of the writ.
The matter is slated for mention on Tuesday, 9 December 2025.
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