By Lukman Olabiyi
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra( IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has sued the Nigeria Police Force’s Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, over an alleged defamatory publication against him.
Kanu, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, stated that Adejobi allegedly defamed the claimant through a press statement he issued and had asked for N20bn for damages.
The suit which is before the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has kanu as sole claimant ,while Adejobi is also the sole defendant.
The claimant alleged that Adejobi defamed him through a press statement he issued on January 25, 2025, and published by many national dailies, including Vanguard Newspaper, with the caption : “Imo:Police neutralise six IPOB/ESN terrorists,recover arms”.
The suit was supported with 13- paragraphs affidavit deposed to by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, brother to the claimant.
Among the prayers of the claimant before the court included the following:In the suit, the claimant prayed the court for a declaration that the said defendant’s published statements or utterances are libelous and defamatory.
“An order of the court directing the defendant to retract the said publications through other publications through the same media by way of issuance of another press statement.
“An order of the court directing the defendant to write and deliver to the claimant,an unreserved letter of apology and the letter of apology should be prominently and boldly published full-page in three national dailies, namely:the Sun ,Daily Trust and Vanguard.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further and forever uttering the said defamatory and libelous words about or concerning the claimant.
“An order the court directing the defendant to pay to the claimant the sum of N20,000,000,000.00(Twenty Billion Naira only) being general and exemplary damages.
“An order of the court directing the defendant to pay the cost of filing the suit.And such further orders, the court may deem fit and expedient”.