By Correspondent in Abuja.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, demanding ₦10 billion in general damages over alleged defamation.
In the suit, filed by his lawyer, Maxwell Opara, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Kanu is also seeking ₦50 million in exemplary damages against the police chief.
The writ of summons, marked CV/3179/2025 and dated August 12 but filed on August 14, further prays for a 10 per cent post-judgment interest per annum on the entire judgment sum until it is fully liquidated.
Kanu is asking the court to declare that a press statement issued by Mr. Danjuma on July 25, which linked IPOB and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to killings in Imo communities, was “false, unsubstantiated, speculative, and defamatory.”
The IPOB leader also wants a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant or officers of the Nigerian Police Force from making similar statements in the future. He further seeks an order directing the CP to issue a public retraction and apology in at least two national dailies and on national television.
According to the statement of claim, Opara alleged that within two hours of the July 25 attacks in Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma, and Ndiakuwata Uno communities in Arondizuogu, Ideato Local Government Area, Danjuma issued a press release “falsely and maliciously” blaming IPOB/ESN.
Opara noted that the press release alleged that “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu orchestrated the attacks—gruesome killings in Imo communities.”
He argued that the CP’s statement was prejudicial, especially as IPOB’s appeal against the ex-parte order declaring it a terrorist organisation is still pending before the Supreme Court, and Kanu is currently facing trial at the Federal High Court on terrorism-related charges.
“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 stated.
Opara maintained that the statements had seriously damaged Kanu’s reputation both nationally and internationally, contending they were “defamatory, false, actuated by malice, and intended to sway public opinion against him and IPOB.”
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
