IPOB Leader Kanu Files N10bn Defamation Suit Against Imo Commissioner of Police

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra ,Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has instituted a N10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, over alleged defamatory remarks linking IPOB to violent attacks.

Kanu, through his counsel Maxwell Opara, filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 12, 2025.

In addition to the N10 billion in general damages, Kanu is seeking an award of N50 million in exemplary damages against the Commissioner of Police.

The writ of summons, marked CV/3179/2025, also requests post-judgment interest at a rate of 10% per annum on the entire judgment sum, from the date of judgment until full payment.

Kanu is asking the court to declare that a press release issued by Danjuma on July 25, which attributed gruesome killings in several Imo communities to IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), was false, unsubstantiated, speculative, and defamatory.

The suit further seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, whether personally or through officers of the Nigeria Police Force, from making similar defamatory statements in the future.

It also asks the court to compel the defendant to issue a public retraction and apology to the claimant in at least two national dailies and on national television.

While Kanu is listed as the claimant, Danjuma is the sole defendant in the suit dated August 12 but filed on August 14 by Opara.

According to Kanu’s statement of claim, on or about July 25, the Commissioner of Police issued a press release ,just two hours after an attack in the communities of Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma, and Ndiakuwata Uno in Arondizuogu, Ideato Local Government Area,accusing IPOB/ESN of orchestrating the violence. The release, widely circulated by mainstream media, allegedly stated that “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu orchestrated the attacks and gruesome killings in Imo communities.”

Kanu contends that this statement was issued at a time when IPOB was appealing the controversial ex parte ruling that designated it a terrorist group,a matter currently before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Therefore, he argues, any reliance on the designation is sub judice and legally questionable.

He further notes that he is presently on trial at the Federal High Court on charges related to terrorism, a case that remains pending and undecided. According to Opara, the Commissioner’s statements, made while the matter is before the courts, are prejudicial and violate Kanu’s right to a fair trial.

“The claimant avers that the false statement by the defendant was made without proper investigation, evidence, or credible intelligence, as no arrest or criminal prosecution has followed the press release,” the court filing states.

Opara argues that the statements have caused significant damage to Kanu’s reputation, both nationally and internationally.

“The claimant contends that the statements made by the defendant were defamatory, false, malicious, and intended to sway public opinion against him and IPOB,” the lawyer stated.