Nnamdi Kanu sues Imo police commissioner for N10bn over alleged defamation

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has initiated fresh legal action against the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, demanding ₦10 billion in general damages for alleged defamation.

According to court filings, the suit was lodged before the Abuja High Court by Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara. In addition to the ₦10 billion claim, Kanu is also seeking ₦50 million as exemplary damages against the police chief.

The case, marked CV3179/2025, further requests that the court award a 10 percent post-judgment interest per annum on the total damages, effective from the date of judgment until the full amount is paid.

Kanu argued that a press statement issued by Danjuma on July 25, which linked IPOB and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) to killings in some Imo communities, was “false, unsubstantiated, speculative, and defamatory.”

He sought “an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant whether by himself or officers of the Nigerian 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.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Kanu is the claimant, Danjuma is the sole defendant in the suit dated Aug. 12 but filed Aug. 14 by Mr Opara.

Kanu, in his statement of claims, through 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 press release, the defendant alleged that; “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu orchestrated the attacks- gruesome killings in Imo communities.”

He argued that the press release 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, 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.”

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.

“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 Danjuma had caused serious damage to 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.