An Abuja High Court has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to appear in a ₦40 billion defamation case instituted against him by Tonye Cole, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.
Channels Incorporated Limited, owners of Channels Television, is also named as a co-defendant. A court notice issued on Friday, December 5, indicates that the case—marked CV/4502/25—has been slated for mention on December 9 before Justice M. A. Hassan of Court 33.
The notice read: “Take notice that suit no: CV/4502/25 Tonye Patrick Cole vs Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Anor will come up on the 9th day of December 2025 before Hon. Justice M. A. Hassan for mention.”
Cole’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jibrin Okutepa, said the action followed the defendants’ alleged refusal to comply with a pre-action notice and a demand letter dated October 8.
The lawsuit stems from comments Wike made about Cole during a live broadcast of Politics Today on Channels Television on September 18. Cole maintains the remarks were false, malicious, and injurious to his personal and professional reputation.
Court documents indicate that Wike’s statements implied Cole was involved in financial impropriety and mismanagement relating to Rivers State gas assets and the Olympia Hotel. Cole’s counsel argues that these allegations amounted to defamation because they suggested dishonesty and misconduct, damaging his image nationally and internationally.
Cole claims the broadcast subjected him to embarrassment, emotional distress, and reputational harm. In addition to the ₦40 billion in damages, he is requesting ₦500 million in litigation costs and a court declaration that the statements were false and defamatory.
He further seeks orders compelling Wike and Channels Television to retract the allegations, remove the broadcast from all platforms, and issue a public apology on the station and in at least five national newspapers. Cole is also requesting a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making further defamatory comments about him.
The court has directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of receiving the writ.
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