Photo: Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister
An Abuja High Court has ordered substituted service of court papers in a ₦40 billion defamation suit filed against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Justice M.A. Hassan issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte application. The judge directed that the court processes be pasted on the gate of the FCT Administration headquarters in Garki, Abuja, after the claimant’s legal team said personal service had proved difficult.
The suit was instituted by Tonye Cole, a former governorship candidate in Rivers State, who is seeking ₦40 billion in damages over comments Wike made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on September 18.
Cole’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), told the court that Wike’s remarks implied financial misconduct and mismanagement of Rivers State resources relating to Rivers State Gas and the Olympia Hotel project. He argued that the comments were defamatory and malicious, portraying his client as dishonest and unfit for public trust.
Cole contends that the remarks damaged his personal, professional and political reputation, with what he described as far-reaching national and international implications.
The court adjourned the matter to March 24, 2026, for hearing.
