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From Godwin Tsa Abuja
Former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, has denied granting the interview published by The Nation on January 12, 2025, which forms the basis of the N550 million defamation suit filed against him by former Senator Chris Anyanwu.
The denial is contained in Ohakim’s amended statement of defence in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1058/2025, which came up for further hearing before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, September 28.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to November 4, 2026, for continuation of trial after counsel to Anyanwu, Adekunle Kosoko, moved an application to regularise the claimant’s reply to Ohakim’s amended statement of defence.
In paragraphs seven and nine of the amended defence, Ohakim denied writing, issuing, publishing or causing to be published the words complained of by Anyanwu.
“The 1st Defendant denies paragraphs 16 and 20 of the Statement of Claim. The 1st Defendant denies that he wrote, issued, published and/or caused to be published the words set in paragraphs 16 and 20 of the Statement of Claim,” the defence stated.
It further said: “The 1st Defendant did not write, utter, publish and/or cause to be published the words complained of as alleged.”
Ohakim also alleged in his defence that the claimant “concocted and issued a press statement for purpose of her suit,” an allegation Anyanwu has denied.
Responding to Kosoko’s application, counsel to Ohakim, K.C.O. Njemanze, SAN, said the defence needed time to examine the process filed by the claimant.
The court consequently adjourned the case to November 4.
The suit arose from comments Anyanwu alleged were made by Ohakim in an interview published by The Nation on January 12, 2025, following the publication of her memoir, Bold Leap. Earlier reports on the case had identified Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, as a co-defendant before the newspaper later issued a retraction and apology and was struck out of the suit.
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In her amended reply to Ohakim’s amended defence, Anyanwu denied the allegations raised against her and maintained that the statements complained of were defamatory and made with malice.
She particularly challenged the alleged claim that she had written an apology to the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and that she relied on military connections during her political career.
Anyanwu further pleaded that Ohakim had asserted the existence of an apology letter and promised to publish it, but had failed to do so.
She alleged that the statements were intended to damage her reputation and confer political advantage, claims Ohakim is expected to contest at trial.
The claimant also maintained that her memoir was an account of her life and experiences and denied defaming Ohakim in the book.
Ohakim, for his part, denied that the statements complained of were defamatory and also challenged the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain it.
The defence further disputed several claims made by Anyanwu concerning her political and professional career.
One of Anyanwu’s witnesses, Dr. Joyce Ejukonemu, who had earlier given evidence-in-chief, was in court and had been expected to face cross-examination before the matter was adjourned.
The case has suffered several previous adjournments. Earlier proceedings had also been stalled by the absence of defence counsel and, on another occasion, by the indisposition of the presiding judge.
The matter will resume on November 4, 2026, for continuation of trial.
