Umahi Sues Linda Ikeji, Others For N2.5bn Over Alleged Defamation

Umahi Sues Linda Ikeji, Others for N2.5bn Over Alleged Defamation

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has filed a N2.5 billion defamation suit against media practitioner Linda Ikeji, businesswoman Stella Ifeoma Okengwu, and Linda Ikeji TV Limited. The suit, marked GWD/CV/264/26, was filed on August 24, 2026, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division. Umahi alleges that the defendants published statements and videos about him between March 2025 and March 2026 which he considers false, malicious and defamatory. According to the case summary, the publications allegedly accused the minister of bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual misconduct, land grabbing, sexual harassment and being unfit for public office. The minister said his lawyers had previously demanded the removal of the publications and an unreserved public apology, but alleged that the defendants failed to comply with the demands. In the suit, Umahi is asking the court to declare the publications defamatory and order the defendants to remove the materials from their social media platforms and other outlets where they appeared. He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a public apology, as well as a permanent injunction restraining them, their agents and affiliated entities from publishing what he describes as further false and defamatory materials against him. The minister is claiming N500 million in general damages, N2 billion in exemplary damages and N500 million as the cost of prosecuting the case. He is also seeking 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on any judgment sum awarded by the court. The case was filed by a legal team led by A. J. Owonikoko, SAN, of Synergy Attorneys, alongside other senior advocates. The case summary indicates that the defendants had not been served with the writ at the time the document was prepared. They will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations if and when they are served and enter their defence. The allegations contained in the suit are claims by the minister and have not been established by the court.