A High Court in Abuja has summoned Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to enter an appearance in a ₦40 billion defamation suit filed against him by Tonye Cole, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

Channels Incorporated Limited, owners of Channels Television, is also named as a co-defendant. According to a court notice issued on Friday, December 5, the case—marked CV/4502/25—is set for mention on December 9 before Justice M.A. Hassan of Court 33.

“Take notice that suit no: CV/4502/25 Tonye Patrick Cole vs Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Anor will come up on the 9th day of December 2025 before Hon. Justice M.A. Hassan for mention,” the notice read.

Cole’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jibrin Okutepa, said the action was filed after Wike and Channels Television allegedly failed to respond to a pre-action notice and a demand letter dated October 8.

The lawsuit stems from remarks Wike made about Cole during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 18. Cole maintains that the statements were false, malicious, and severely damaging to his personal, professional, and public reputation.

Court filings indicate that the disputed comments accused Cole of financial misconduct and mismanagement of state assets, including matters relating to Rivers State’s gas interests and the Olympia Hotel. Cole’s counsel argues that the statements imputed dishonesty and wrongdoing, thereby tarnishing his credibility both in Nigeria and abroad.

Cole says he has endured humiliation, mental anguish, and significant reputational harm as a result of what he describes as a “malicious, reckless, and unfounded defamatory broadcast and publication.” Beyond the ₦40 billion in damages, he is also seeking ₦500 million in litigation costs and a judicial declaration that the statements were false and defamatory.

He further asks the court to order Wike and Channels Television to retract the allegations, delete the broadcast from all platforms, and publish a formal apology on Channels Television and in at least five national dailies. Additionally, he seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making similar defamatory statements in the future.

The court has directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of receiving the writ.