Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi
Kanu, has sued the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Aboki Danjuma, demanding
N10 billion in general damages over alleged defamation.
Kanu, in a fresh suit filed by his lawyer, Maxwell Opara, at
the Abuja High Court, also demanded an award of N50 million as exemplary
damages against the CP.
The IPOB leader, in the writ of summons marked: CV3179/2025,
sought an award of 10 per cent post judgment interest per annum on the entire
judgment sum from the date of judgment till the same is fully liquidated.
He sought a declaration that Mr Danjuma’s press release
published on July 25 “attributing the gruesome killings in Imo communities to
IPOB/ESN (Eastern Security Network) members is 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.
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