Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), has filed a N20 billion libel suit against Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The suit, filed on Tuesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accuses Adejobi of defaming Kanu by labeling him as a terrorist leader.
The legal action was taken by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Aloy Ejimakor, following a press statement issued by Adejobi on January 25.
The statement referred to IPoB as “a proscribed terrorist organisation,” and detailed a police operation in Imo State where six alleged IPoB/Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives were reportedly neutralized.
In his statement, Adejobi claimed that the operation, carried out on January 24, led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and communication equipment, and suggested the group’s involvement in several violent incidents, including the 2021 Owerri Correctional Centre attack and the killing of five policemen in Okigwe in 2022.
Kanu’s legal team asserts that Adejobi’s comments have falsely portrayed him as the head of a violent, terrorist organization and associated him with criminal activities.
Kanu further contends that these defamatory statements have caused significant harm to his reputation and adversely impacted ongoing court cases regarding the status of IPoB as a terrorist group.
In the suit, Kanu demands that Adejobi retract the statement publicly and issue a full-page apology in three national dailies; The SUN, Daily Trust, and Vanguard.
He is also seeking a permanent injunction to prevent further defamatory remarks and a N20 billion compensation for damages.
Kanu’s suit argues that the police spokesperson’s remarks were made with malicious intent and have caused reputational harm, particularly with respect to his ongoing legal battles.
He has requested that the court order Adejobi to cover the cost of the lawsuit and any other relief deemed appropriate.
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