The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, seeking N10 billion in general damages for alleged defamation.
Kanu, through his lawyer Maxwell Opara, also demanded an additional N50 million in exemplary damages in the suit filed at the Abuja High Court.
The writ of summons, marked CV3179/2025, seeks a declaration that Danjuma’s July 25 press release was “false, unsubstantiated, speculative and defamatory” for “attributing the gruesome killings in Imo communities to IPOB/ESN (Eastern Security Network) members.”
In his statement of claims, Kanu’s lawyer alleged that within two hours of a brutal attack in Arondizuogu Ideato Local Government Area, the Police Commissioner issued a press release that was widely published by mainstream media.
According to the suit, the CP’s statement claimed that “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu orchestrated the attacks- gruesome killings in Imo communities.”
The lawsuit argues that these pronouncements were made without proper investigation, evidence, or credible intelligence, as no arrests or prosecutions were initiated after the press release.
Kanu’s legal team contends that the statements were made while his separate terrorism trial is still pending, making the CP’s comments prejudicial to his right to a fair trial.
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Kanu is seeking the following from the court: ‘A public retraction and apology to be published in at least two national newspapers and on national television.
‘An order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant and the police from making similar defamatory statements in the future.
‘An award of 10% post-judgment interest per annum on the total judgment sum.’
Kanu’s lawyer argues that the false statements have caused significant damage to his client’s reputation both within Nigeria and internationally.
He avers that the comments were “actuated by malice” and intended to turn public opinion against Kanu and IPOB.
The suit names Kanu as the claimant and Danjuma as the sole defendant. The legal team noted that the IPOB’s appeal of its designation as a terrorist group is currently pending before the Supreme Court, making any reliance on that order a matter of lis pendens (a pending lawsuit).
, Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, seeking N10 billion in general damages for alleged defamation.){kind=link}